Oliver Glasner may not be the type of manager who relies on strict discipline to get results, but he certainly brings a meticulous, work‑aholic mindset to every project. While he does not impose a barrage of rules on his players, his attention to detail and relentless preparation are hallmarks of his coaching style.
At Nottingham Forest, however, a shift toward a more structured environment may be inevitable if the club hopes to turn the tide after a turbulent period. Glasner has earned a reputation across Europe as one of the most tactically sophisticated managers of his generation.
His résumé includes a remarkable stint at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he guided the German side to an unlikely Europa League triumph, out‑performing clubs with far larger budgets. That achievement put him firmly on the radar of Premier League clubs, many of which began to view him as a potential saviour capable of delivering results on limited resources. In 2024, the Austrian coach accepted a challenge on the south coast of England when Crystal Palace hired him to revamp their playing philosophy. During his two‑year tenure, Palace not only adopted a more attractive brand of football but also collected three trophies, an unprecedented haul for the club in recent memory.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been quick to point out the parallels and believes that the same blueprint could be replicated at the City Ground. Before Glasner can embed his ideas, he first needs to establish a clear set of ground rules.
Nottingham Forest have endured a chaotic twelve months, going through four different managers and a revolving door of backroom staff. "There is great talent here," Glasner told Sky Sports from the club's training base in West Bridgford, "but the atmosphere has become a bit too relaxed at times. We have to strike a balance between hard work on the pitch and a collective desire to reach the highest level." Pre‑season, by its nature, offers a window for a more relaxed approach, and Glasner acknowledges that his players have already shown admirable effort and enthusiasm in training sessions. "That kind of spirit is the foundation for everything we want to build," he explained.
Yet he also warned that the upcoming season will demand a more serious, focused mindset. Last season, despite the managerial merry‑go‑round, Forest managed to play 56 matches after securing a return to European competition for the first time in three decades. Their run to the Europa League semi‑final was a testament to the squad’s resilience, but it also highlighted the need for consistency.
The club’s next objective is to secure a stable foothold in the Premier League, a task that will require both tactical refinement and squad reinforcement. Glasner has already begun reshaping the roster to fit his preferred system. Central defender Ousmane Diomande, signed over the summer, has emerged as a key addition, and the Austrian, a former defender himself, hinted that he may be looking for "one or two more" players to solidify the back line.
His footballing philosophy centres on organisation, collective responsibility and an intelligent blend of open play and set‑piece mastery. Possession dominance is not a prerequisite for his teams; instead, they focus on compact defending, rapid transitions and exploiting dead‑ball situations.
The response from the squad has been largely positive. Nikola Milenković, the Serbian centre‑back, described Glasner as "a bit of a perfectionist" who scrutinises even the smallest details.
"Sometimes those tiny nuances are what decide a match," Milenković said. "Whether we line up in a four‑man defence or a three‑man back, we have to be adaptable and give our best for the team." Glasner reiterated his core message to the players: "If you keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same results." After a difficult campaign that saw the club flirt with relegation, the players appeared receptive to this call for change. "We don’t want to be the team fighting to avoid the drop," Glasner added.
"We believe we can finish higher than 16th, but we must stay realistic and build an environment where improvement is possible." Statistically, Forest suffered one of the steepest point declines in the league, dropping 21 points between the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 seasons—a drop only eclipsed by Liverpool and Wolves, both of which also entered the new campaign with new managers. While Wolves have been relegated to a lower division, Forest remains in the top flight, yet Glasner is determined to avoid another near‑miss.
"Our number one priority is stability," he stressed. "Last season saw too many changes; we need continuity for everyone involved.
Once we have that, we can start talking about aiming for a top‑half finish, but we must remain humble and progress step by step." Training sessions will be the crucible in which Glasner’s ideas are forged. He emphasised that the team must focus on daily improvement rather than merely waiting for the next Saturday match. "We have the time to train, to get better. It is our responsibility to make the most of it," he promised, adding that he will push the players to work harder than ever before.
Key figures such as Morgan Gibbs‑White have stayed at the club despite interest from other sides, providing a core around which Glasner can build. While his success has traditionally stemmed from collective cohesion rather than reliance on individual brilliance, Forest does possess a sprinkling of talent capable of changing games in an instant. When asked what attracted him to Nottingham Forest, Glasner cited the quality of the squad and the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis. "The players are good, and Mr Marinakis has a clear vision for the club," he said, noting that Forest had not been on his radar before this summer.
The partnership now offers both excitement and a formidable challenge. Forest supporters may be content with simply consolidating their Premier League status after a taste of European football, but Marinakis is known for his impatience and desire for rapid progress.
Glasner has highlighted that his meticulous, detail‑oriented approach aligns with the owner’s aspirations, yet he will need to deliver a tangible plan and results to secure his long‑term future at the club. Will this Austrian dark horse, who has repeatedly defied the odds, be able to strike gold once more at Nottingham Forest? Only time will tell, but the foundations he is laying—discipline, structure, and a relentless work ethic—could be the ingredients needed for a new era of stability and success at the City Ground.