Oliver Glasner may not be the type of manager who relies on strict discipline, but he is certainly meticulous and self‑described as a workaholic. He does not impose a laundry list of rules on his players; instead, he expects commitment through example and tactical clarity.
At Nottingham Forest, however, his approach may need to adapt to a club that has endured considerable upheaval. Across Europe, Glasner has built a reputation as one of the most tactically savvy coaches.
His résumé includes a remarkable stint at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he engineered a surprise Europa League triumph against formidable opposition. That achievement put him on the radar of several Premier League clubs, all eager to harness his strategic mind. In 2024, the Austrian took charge of Crystal Palace on the south coast, tasked with reshaping the team’s playing style.
Under his guidance, Palace captured three trophies in just two seasons, a success story that has convinced Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis that a similar transformation is possible at the City Ground. Before Glasner can implement his ideas, he must first lay down a clear set of expectations after a turbulent twelve months that saw four different managers at the helm.
"There is great talent here," he told Sky Sports from Forest’s training base in West Bridgford, "but the atmosphere has become a bit too relaxed at times. We need to strike a balance between hard work on the pitch and the collective ambition to reach our highest level. Every player should become the best version of himself." Pre‑season naturally offers a window for a slightly more relaxed environment, but Glasner stresses that the foundation of any successful campaign is effort and spirit in training.
"The players have already shown a lot of determination in sessions, and that is the bedrock on which we will build," he said, adding that there is a serious side to his plan as well. Last season, despite the managerial carousel, Forest managed to play 56 matches after earning a return to European competition for the first time in three decades.
The club even reached a Europa League semi‑final, a remarkable feat given the constant changes. Now the priority is to secure a stable foothold in the Premier League. Glasner is already introducing his preferred tactical framework and quietly reshaping the squad to suit it. Centre‑back Ousmane Diomande, the club’s marquee summer signing, fits his vision, and the former defender‑turned‑coach has hinted that he may add "one or two" more reinforcements to solidify the back line.
The 51‑year‑old’s football philosophy is built on structure, discipline and attention to detail. His teams are known for being well‑drilled, combative and highly organised, often punching above their weight through a blend of fluid open play and efficient set‑piece execution. Possession dominance is not a prerequisite for danger under Glasner; instead, he values compactness and tactical intelligence.
Players appear to be responding positively to the new regime. Nikola Milenković, for example, described Glasner as "a bit of a perfectionist" who scrutinises even the smallest details, noting that such meticulousness can be the difference between winning and losing. "Whether we line up in a back four or a back three depends on the manager," Milenković added, "and we must be ready to adapt to any system he wants to employ." Glasner’s early communication to the squad was clear: "If you only do the same things, you will always get the same results." After a difficult previous season, the players were receptive to this message. He emphasised that no team wants to fight relegation and that Forest can aim higher than a 16th‑place finish, provided they remain realistic and build a culture of continuous improvement.
"We want individuals with character and ego, but they must play for the team, not for themselves," he said, envisioning an "amazing group" capable of exceeding expectations. Statistically, Forest suffered a 21‑point drop between the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 seasons, a decline only eclipsed by Liverpool and Wolves. All three clubs entered the new campaign with fresh managerial appointments. While Wolves now compete in a lower division, Forest avoided that fate, yet Glasner is determined to prevent another near‑miss.
His top priority, he explains, is to bring stability back to a club that endured too many changes last term. "Stability is essential for everyone," he asserted. "Once we have that, we can discuss establishing ourselves in the top half of the table, but we must stay humble and progress step by step." Training sessions will be the crucible for this progress. Glasner warned against simply waiting for Saturday matches, insisting that daily work must focus on improvement.
"We have the time to train and to get better, and it is our responsibility to make the most of it," he promised, pledging to push the squad to higher standards of effort. Key figures such as Morgan Gibbs‑White have remained at the club despite interest from rivals, giving Glasner a core of players who already understand the club’s culture.
While his past successes have often relied on collective cohesion rather than individual brilliance, Forest does possess a sprinkling of talent capable of changing a game in an instant. Glasner admits that the combination of the players’ quality and the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis was the main draw for him, especially since Forest was not originally on his radar before this summer.
The partnership promises excitement, but also a substantial challenge. Forest supporters might be content with steady Premier League progress after their recent European adventures, yet Marinakis is known for his impatience. Glasner emphasises that his meticulous, detail‑oriented approach aligns with the owner’s zeal, but he must also present a clear, long‑term strategy to prove his suitability. Will the Austrian dark horse, who has repeatedly defied the odds, be able to replicate his past triumphs and guide Nottingham Forest to sustained success?
Only time will tell, but the foundations he is laying suggest a determined effort to turn potential into tangible results.