Oliver Glasner may not be the type of manager who imposes strict discipline from the first day, but he is undeniably meticulous and a self‑confessed workaholic. While he does not flood his squad with endless rules, his approach at Nottingham Forest is likely to evolve into something a little more structured.
Glasner has built a reputation across Europe as one of the most tactically sophisticated coaches of his generation. His résumé includes a spectacular spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he guided the German side to a surprise Europa League triumph, beating odds that many pundits thought insurmountable. That achievement placed him firmly on the radar of Premier League clubs, all eager to tap his strategic mind.
In 2024, the Austrian was persuaded to cross the Channel and take charge of Crystal Palace. There, he was tasked with reshaping the club’s playing philosophy, and he delivered spectacular results: under his guidance Palace captured three trophies in just two seasons. The owner of Nottingham Forest, Evangelos Marinakis, believes that the same transformation can be replicated at the City Ground. Before Glasner can implement his ideas, however, he must first set clear expectations after a turbulent year that saw four different managers cycle through the Forest dugout.
"There is a lot of talent here," Glasner told Sky Sports from the club’s training base in West Bridgford, "but we need to find the right balance between hard work on the pitch and a professional atmosphere off it. We want every player to reach his best version." Pre‑season, he admitted, offers a window for a slightly more relaxed approach, but the underlying message remains serious. "The effort and spirit the players have shown in training are the foundation for everything we want to achieve," he said.
The previous season, despite constant managerial turnover, Forest managed to play 56 matches, secured a return to European competition for the first time in three decades, and even reached a Europa League semi‑final. That resilience, Glasner noted, is impressive given the chaos. Looking ahead, the primary goal is to cement a stable Premier League footing.
Glasner has already begun to implement his preferred system, and the squad is being quietly reshaped to suit his tactical blueprint. Centre‑back Ousmane Diomande, the club’s marquee summer signing, has already made an impact, but Glasner—himself a former defender—has hinted that he may bring in "one or two more" reinforcements to solidify the back line. Glasner’s footballing philosophy is grounded in structure, discipline and attention to detail.
His teams are known for being well‑drilled, combative and tactically flexible, often punching above their weight through a mix of fluid open‑play movements and razor‑sharp set‑piece execution. They do not need to dominate possession to threaten opponents; instead, they focus on compact defending, rapid transitions and exploiting the opponent’s weaknesses. The players appear to be adapting well.
Nikola Milenković, a key figure in the defence, described Glasner as "a bit of a perfectionist" who scrutinises even the smallest details, noting that such focus can be the difference between a win and a loss. "Whether we line up in a back four or a back three is up to the manager, but we must be ready to adjust to any system he wants," Milenković added. Glasner’s first message to the squad was clear: "If you only do the same things, you will always get the same results." After a season that flirted with relegation, the players were receptive to this call for change. "No team wants to fight against dropping down," Glasner said, "but we believe we can finish higher than 16th.
We have to be realistic, yet ambitious, and create an environment where individuals improve for the benefit of the whole team." Statistically, Forest’s points total fell by 21 between the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 campaigns, a decline only eclipsed by Liverpool and Wolves, both of which also began the new season with fresh managers. Unlike Wolves, who have been relegated, Forest remain in the top flight, but Glasner is determined to avoid another near‑miss. "Stability is our number‑one priority," he asserted. "Last season saw too many changes.
We need a steady foundation before we can aim for a top‑half finish, and we must approach that goal step by step, with humility and hard work." Training sessions, according to Glasner, will be the crucible for improvement. "We have time to train, time to improve, and it is our responsibility to make the most of it.
We cannot simply wait for Saturday’s match; we must push every player to give his utmost every day," he promised. Key figures such as Morgan Gibbs‑White have stayed at the club despite interest from other sides, giving Glasner a core group around which to build. While his track record emphasises collective cohesion over individual brilliance, Forest also possess a handful of players capable of producing moments of magic that can turn matches in an instant. Glasner admitted that the quality of the squad, combined with the ambition of owner Marinakis, attracted him to the role, even though Forest was not initially on his radar.
"The ambition of Mr. Marinakis and the potential I see in the players convinced me that this is the right challenge," he said.
Fans may be content with simply maintaining Premier League status after the excitement of a European run, but Marinakis is known for his impatience and desire for progress. Glasner emphasised that his detailed, methodical approach aligns with the owner’s expectations, yet he will need to deliver tangible results to prove his long‑term suitability. In summary, Oliver Glasner arrives at Nottingham Forest with a clear plan: instil discipline without stifling creativity, build a defensively solid yet tactically versatile side, and create a culture of continuous improvement. The Austrian’s previous successes—turning Frankfurt into Europa League champions and guiding Crystal Palace to a trophy‑laden spell—show that he can thrive under pressure and exceed expectations.
Whether he can replicate that success at the City Ground remains to be seen, but the foundations he is laying suggest that Forest could once again become a club that punches above its weight, blending stability with ambition to achieve sustained success in the Premier League.