Oliver Glasner appointed Nottingham Forest head coach after managerial chaos
Synopsis
Nottingham Forest have ended a season of historic managerial chaos — four permanent managers in one campaign — by appointing Oliver Glasner, the Austrian who won the FA Cup and UEFA Conference League with Crystal Palace. He arrives with a long-term mandate, a talented squad, and a reported £116 million hole left by Elliot Anderson's departure to Manchester City.
Key Takeaways
Oliver Glasner , 51, was appointed Nottingham Forest head coach on 6 July .
He joins from Crystal Palace , where he won both the FA Cup and the UEFA Conference League .
Forest used four permanent managers in a single season — Nuno Espírito Santo , Ange Postecoglou , Sean Dyche , and Vítor Pereira .
Midfielder Elliot Anderson has departed for Manchester City in a reported £116 million deal, reportedly making him the most expensive British player ever.
Glasner's first competitive match will be against Leeds United at the City Ground in August .
Owner Evangelos Marinakis has publicly backed the appointment, calling Glasner 'a winner.'
Oliver Glasner has been named head coach of Nottingham Forest, the Premier League club confirmed on Monday, 6 July, bringing an end to a season of extraordinary managerial turbulence at the City Ground. The 51-year-old Austrian arrives as a free agent and has been handed a long-term mandate to build a sustainable project at the club.
From Crystal Palace to the City Ground
Glasner departs after a trophy-laden stint at Crystal Palace, where he guided the south London club to both the FA Cup and the UEFA Conference League — a remarkable double that elevated his standing considerably among European clubs. He chose not to extend his contract at Palace and subsequently attracted interest from several clubs on the continent before opting for Forest's long-term vision.
'It was clear to me that they have a strong vision for this football club and full trust in me and my staff to build a successful future together,' Glasner said in the club's official announcement.
A Season of Managerial Upheaval
Glasner inherits a squad that cycled through four permanent managers in a single season. Nuno Espírito Santo was dismissed in September 2025, followed by Ange Postecoglou, who lasted just 39 days before being sacked in October. Sean Dyche then took charge but was let go after 114 days in February, with Vítor Pereira stepping in to steady the ship. Glasner now succeeds Pereira as the club's fifth managerial appointment in under twelve months.
Key Players and a Record Departure
The Austrian takes charge of a squad featuring talents such as Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Chris Wood. However, he must plan without midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has completed a reported £116 million move to Manchester City — a transfer that, according to reports, makes him the most expensive British player in history.
Owner Backs the Appointment
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis publicly endorsed the decision, citing Glasner's winning pedigree. 'Oliver is a winner. He has achieved success through his leadership, personality, and the style of football his teams play,' Marinakis said in the club statement. The backing from ownership signals a clear intent to provide Glasner with the stability that his predecessors conspicuously lacked.
What Comes Next
Glasner's first competitive fixture will see Nottingham Forest host Leeds United at the City Ground in August when the new Premier League season gets under way. With a settled ownership, a defined project, and a coach with proven European pedigree, Forest will be hoping this appointment marks the end of the revolving door — and the beginning of something more durable.
Point of View
But Forest's choice of Glasner is the most coherent decision the club has made in this entire cycle. The Austrian's record at Crystal Palace — trophies in both domestic and European competition — is not easily dismissed. The real question is whether Marinakis has genuinely changed his approach to managerial tenure or whether Glasner, like his predecessors, will be handed impossible expectations and a short leash. The £116 million Anderson sale also demands scrutiny: replacing that level of midfield quality while building a new manager's system simultaneously is a significant challenge, and how Forest spend that windfall will define Glasner's first season more than his tactics will.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Oliver Glasner and why has he been appointed Nottingham Forest manager?
Oliver Glasner is a 51-year-old Austrian coach who won the FA Cup and UEFA Conference League during his time at Crystal Palace. Nottingham Forest appointed him on 6 July to lead a long-term project after a season in which the club went through four permanent managers.
Why did Nottingham Forest change managers so frequently last season?
Forest dismissed Nuno Espírito Santo in September 2025, Ange Postecoglou after just 39 days in October, and Sean Dyche after 114 days in February, before Vítor Pereira served as interim. The club has not publicly detailed the specific reasons behind each dismissal.
What is the Elliot Anderson transfer and why does it matter?
Elliot Anderson has reportedly completed a £116 million move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City, which according to reports makes him the most expensive British player in football history. Glasner must now build his midfield plans without Anderson.
When is Oliver Glasner's first game as Nottingham Forest manager?
Glasner's first competitive match will be Nottingham Forest's Premier League season opener at home against Leeds United at the City Ground in August.
What did Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis say about the appointment?
Marinakis said: 'Oliver is a winner. He has achieved success through his leadership, personality, and the style of football his teams play.' His public endorsement signals an intent to give Glasner the stability that previous managers at the club did not receive.
