Despite difficult fixtures to start the new season, this is why Nottingham Forest must stand by Vitor Pereira.
Nottingham Forest must stand by Vitor Pereira regardless of their form during a difficult start to the season.
News of a delay in talks between Pereira and Nottingham Forest over a new contract gives both parties flexibility.
But with it now being revealed that Forest will face a difficult start to the new Premier League campaign, following fixture release day, the club must avoid another early manager change.
The Reds will face Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in their opening four games of the season, a tricky spell which could have Pereira’s side looking over their shoulder again by mid-September.
But the Portuguese Head Coach has shown an excellent ability to overcome difficult periods, which was the entire reason he was appointed by Evangelos Marinakis, and the club must stand by their judgement if the start of the season brings more challenges.
Last season saw a frankly absurd manager turnover at the City Ground, with the revolving door rarely stopping as four managers passed through, with the latest appointment, Pereira, still in post ahead of the upcoming season.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure already feels like an age ago. He was sacked just three games into the 2025/26 season, despite the club losing just one of those matches.
While there were reportedly also behind-the-scenes issues responsible for his swift exit, the decision kick-started a period that Forest will be keen to swiftly forget.
Another season of instability is simply unthinkable. With significant changes to the squad expected, namely the departure of Elliot Anderson, the manager best-equipped to handle a difficult start to the season will be the manager who can work with the team in pre-season, the incumbent Pereira.
The decision to delay talks over a new contract with Pereira can be interpreted in several ways.
Firstly, it offers Forest a cheaper route to remove Pereira should they so wish, which although beneficial to the club, is something to be wary of.
But it also affords Pereira the flexibility to consider his own options. The decision frankly feels unsettling, especially given its timing, days after Pereira was linked with the Al Hilal job.
Although Pereira remains committed to Forest for the upcoming season, it feels far from ideal that neither party seem willing to commit to the other beyond that timeframe.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Forest managerial hotseat, but for the club’s sake, it needs to be a quiet season with far fewer fearsome corner flag pictures.
