Vitor Pereira has been confirmed as the new Nottingham Forest head coach on an 18-month deal.
Forest have moved quickly to find a replacement for Sean Dyche ahead of Thursday’s crucial Europa League knockout play-off first leg away to Fenerbahce.
Former Wolves boss Pereira was previously employed by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiakos. He won the league and cup double with the Greek side in 2015.
Pereira, who will become Forest’s fourth head coach of the season, replaces Dyche, who was sacked during the early hours of Thursday morning after the 0-0 draw with Wolves having been in charge for just 114 days.
The Portuguese head coach kept Wolves up last season after being appointed in December 2024 but was sacked following a poor start to this campaign. Wolves have been contacted as part of the protocol.
News of Dyche’s exit came around three hours after Forest’s goalless draw with the Premier League’s bottom club Wolves. Dyche left Forest three points above the relegation zone with 12 games of the season remaining.
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Nottingham Forest’s draw to rock-bottom Wolves in the Premier League before Sean Dyche’s dismissal
Pereira was previously employed by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiakos. He won the league and cup double with the Greek side in 2015.
Marinakis is understood to be frustrated with the club’s inability to make the most of the attacking talent available at the club, as well as its inability to move away from the relegation places.
Marinakis turning to someone he knows in Pereira
Pereira was previously employed by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympiacos
Sky Sports News’ Anton Toloui:
Sitting just three points above the relegation zone, Forest are now turning to someone they know.
Vitor Pereira used to manage Marinakis’ other club, Olympiakos, leading them to a league and cup double in 2015.
This time last year he was the toast of the league after taking Wolves from just nine points in 16 matches to survival with games to spare.
Forest will be hoping for something similar.
They clearly aren’t put off by Pereira’s start to this season in the West Midlands, only picking up two points from a possible 30 before his sacking.
Forest will be the 14th club of his managerial career and he’s only stayed beyond two years at one of them. You hire Pereira for a good time, not a long time.
Merse: Pereira appointment makes sense for Forest
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Paul Merson says he can ‘understand’ why Vitor Pereira has been picked as the replacement for Sean Dyche
Sky Sports’ Paul Merson:
“It’s what the owner wants, he’s bringing him in for 12 matches, 12 cup finals.
“The owner doesn’t mess about. I understand this more than the Tottenham one [Igor Tudor appointment] . He’s managed in the Premier League and been in a relegation battle before.
“I hope he’s thick-skinned enough, when you get sacked, it can dent your confidence.”
Nottingham Forest’s upcoming fixtures
- Fenerbahce (A) – Europa League knockout play-off first leg – Thursday February 19; kick-off 5.45pm
- Liverpool (H) – Premier League – Sunday February 22, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 2pm
- Fenerbahce (H) – Europa League knockout play-off second leg – Thursday February 26; kick-off 8pm
- Brighton (A) – Premier League – Sunday March 1, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 2pm
- Man City (A) – Premier League – Wednesday March 4; kick-off 7.30pm
- Fulham (H) – Premier League – Saturday March 14; kick-off 3pm
