The short version
- Oliver Glasner has acknowledged that he could become the sixth manager in two years if results do not improve immediately.
- Nottingham Forest have created significant scoring opportunities but remain the league's lowest scorers, highlighting a severe conversion issue.
- The club faces financial and contractual constraints that make an immediate dismissal unlikely despite the poor start to the season.
Oliver Glasner has issued a stark warning regarding his future at Nottingham Forest, suggesting that he could be the next head coach dismissed if the team fails to secure victories in the coming weeks. The Austrian manager, who took charge this summer after leading Crystal Palace to multiple trophies, acknowledged the precarious nature of his position by referencing the club’s recent history of managerial turnover. Since the beginning of last season, Forest have cycled through five different bosses, including Sean Dyche, Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Vitor Pereira. Glasner indicated that unless players adhere strictly to his instructions and results improve, he anticipates becoming the sixth manager in this rapid succession.
The urgency of Glasner’s comments follows a 2-0 defeat to Brentford on Saturday, which left Forest with just six points from their opening nine Premier League matches. This performance places them 19th in the standings, only one point above the relegation zone and facing Manchester City next weekend. In their last five league games, Forest have managed only a single draw against Ipswich Town, with all other fixtures resulting in losses. Glasner admitted that he had made too many compromises during his tenure so far and stated that it is now time to establish a clear direction without further concessions.
Statistical analysis reveals a significant discrepancy between the opportunities Forest create and their actual goal output. The team has recorded the fourth-highest expected goals (xG) tally in the Premier League this season, yet they are the division’s lowest scorers with only six goals. In the match against Brentford, Forest generated an xG of 0.85 compared to Brentford’s 0.46, but failed to register a shot on target until after the hosts had taken a two-goal lead. This pattern suggests that while the team is creating chances, they lack the finishing ruthlessness required to convert them into points.
Defensive errors have also plagued the side, according to Glasner, who noted that mistakes are being made by different players in similar situations. The loss to Brentford was compounded by an own goal from Nikola Milenkovic and a late strike from Igor Thiago. Glasner emphasized that the team is slow and repetitive in their errors, stating that continuing with the current approach is not viable. He promised immediate changes in tactics and player management, indicating that he will no longer tolerate deviations from his strategic plan.
The summer signing of Liam Delap has been a particular point of contention. The striker arrived from Chelsea for a reported £50 million but has scored only once in eight Premier League appearances, seven of which started him in the lineup. Despite ranking eighth in the league for total shots with 24 attempts, Delap’s goal output is among the lowest in the division. His inability to capitalize on chances mirrors the broader team issue, where high volume of shots does not translate into goals. Forest are second only to Manchester United in shots per game, yet their offensive efficiency remains critically low.
Comparisons to last season highlight the persistent struggles at the City Ground. At this stage twelve months ago, the combined efforts of Santo, Postecoglou, and Dyche had yielded only one win and five points, with Forest sitting 18th in the table. This year, Glasner has secured one more point but faces similar pressure. The club’s ambition was evident in hiring a manager who had recently achieved significant success elsewhere, but the on-field results have not yet justified that investment. The similarity in performance metrics between the two seasons suggests deep-seated issues beyond just managerial changes.
Despite the public warnings and poor results, an immediate dismissal of Glasner appears unlikely due to financial and contractual realities. He is under a three-year contract with less than four months elapsed, meaning termination would be costly. Reports indicate his salary is approximately £10 million annually, further complicating any potential exit strategy for the club. Sources suggest that while Glasner’s job security is not absolute, the board is likely to give him more time to implement changes before considering a replacement.
Glasner has signaled a shift in his management style, moving away from a conciliatory approach to a more authoritarian one. He remarked that if hugging and encouragement do not work, he will try the opposite method. This change in tone reflects his frustration with the team’s lack of discipline and execution. As Forest prepare for their next fixture against league leaders Manchester City, the pressure is mounting on Glasner to demonstrate that his tactical adjustments can yield immediate results. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this season follows the pattern of previous years or marks a turning point for the club.
The broader context of Forest’s situation underscores the challenges faced by clubs attempting to stabilize after periods of instability. With five managers in two years, player confidence and tactical cohesion have been difficult to establish. Glasner’s acknowledgment of past compromises suggests he believes earlier leniency hindered progress. His promise to change tactics and enforce strict adherence to his system indicates a belief that the squad has the potential to perform better if properly directed. However, the gap between expected performance and actual results remains wide, leaving little room for error in upcoming matches.
As the Premier League season progresses, Forest’s position near the bottom of the table will continue to attract scrutiny. The combination of high xG and low goal output points to a fundamental issue in finishing rather than a lack of creativity or attacking intent. Defensive vulnerabilities further exacerbate the problem, allowing opponents to capitalize on mistakes. Glasner’s ability to address these issues quickly will determine whether he can avoid joining the list of former managers dismissed by the club. The next few games will serve as a crucial test of his revised approach and the team’s capacity to adapt under pressure.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Sport↗Glasner fears he will be next Forest sacking if wins don't follow
