Oliver Glasner may not be the type of manager who relies on strict discipline, but he is undeniably meticulous and self‑described as a workaholic. He does not impose a laundry list of rules on his players; instead, he focuses on structure, preparation and tactical nuance. At Nottingham Forest, however, his approach may need to incorporate a firmer hand as the club seeks to move beyond a turbulent recent past. Glasner has earned a reputation across Europe as one of the most tactically sophisticated coaches of his generation.
His résumé includes a remarkable spell at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he guided the German side to a surprise Europa League triumph against odds that many pundits deemed insurmountable. That achievement placed him firmly on the radar of Premier League clubs, who began to view him as a potential game‑changer. In 2024, the Austrian was recruited by Crystal Palace on the south coast, where he was given the mandate to overhaul the team’s playing philosophy.
Within two seasons, Palace collected three trophies, a testament to Glasner’s ability to translate his ideas into tangible success. Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, believes that the same blueprint could be replicated at the City Ground.
Before Glasner can fully implement his vision, he must first set clear expectations after a period of considerable instability at Forest. The club has cycled through four different managers in the last twelve months, a turnover that has disrupted continuity and left the squad searching for direction. "There is great talent here," Glasner told Sky Sports from the club’s training base in West Bridgford, "but sometimes the atmosphere can become a little too relaxed. We need to strike the right balance between hard work on the pitch and a collective drive to reach our highest potential." Pre‑season, by its nature, allows for a degree of flexibility, and Glasner acknowledges the importance of harnessing the enthusiasm that players have already displayed.
"The effort and spirit shown in training sessions form the foundation for everything we want to achieve," he said. Yet he also warned that the upcoming campaign will demand a serious, disciplined mindset.
Last season, despite the managerial carousel, Forest managed to play 56 matches, earned a return to European competition for the first time in three decades, and even reached the Europa League semi‑final. That resilience was impressive, but the club’s long‑term ambition is to secure a stable Premier League foothold rather than rely on occasional cup runs. To that end, Forest are already transitioning to Glasner’s preferred tactical system.
The club’s most notable summer acquisition is centre‑back Ousmane Diomande, a player who fits Glasner’s emphasis on defensive solidity. As a former defender himself, Glasner has hinted that he may pursue "one or two more" signings to reinforce the back line and ensure depth. Glasner’s footballing philosophy centres on organization, intensity and attention to detail.
His teams are known for being well‑drilled, combative and tactically versatile. They often thrive on a balanced blend of quick transitions, disciplined defending and set‑piece proficiency, rather than relying on prolonged possession to dominate opponents.
This pragmatic style can make a squad dangerous even when it does not dominate the ball. The response from the players has been positive.
Nikola Milenković, who has worked closely with Glasner, described the manager as "a bit of a perfectionist" who scrutinises even the smallest details. "Sometimes those tiny nuances are what decide a game," Milenković explained. He added that whether the team lines up in a back four or a back three will be decided by the manager, and that the squad must be ready to adapt to any system. Glasner reiterated his core message to the squad early on: "If you keep doing the same things, you will always get the same results." After a difficult previous season, the players were receptive to this call for change.
He stressed that no club wants to spend a season battling relegation, and that Forest can aim higher than a 16th‑place finish, provided they adopt a realistic, step‑by‑step approach. Statistically, Forest suffered one of the steepest declines in points between the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 seasons, losing 21 points – a drop only exceeded by Liverpool (‑24) and Wolves (‑22).
All three clubs entered the new campaign with fresh managerial appointments. While Wolves have dropped into a lower division, Forest remain in the Premier League, but Glasner is determined to avoid another near‑miss with the club.
"The number one priority is to bring stability back to the club," he said. "Last season saw far too many changes, and we need a consistent environment for everyone.
Once that foundation is in place, we can talk about targeting a top‑half finish, but we must stay humble and progress incrementally." Training, according to Glasner, will be the crucible in which improvement is forged. "We have the time to train, the time to get better. It is our responsibility to make the most of it. We cannot simply wait for Saturday’s match – we must work hard every day," he promised.
This relentless work ethic is intended to translate into a more disciplined, resilient side on match days. Key players such as Morgan Gibbs‑White have remained at the club despite interest from other teams, providing Glasner with a core group that already understands the club’s culture.
While his past successes have often relied on collective cohesion rather than individual brilliance, Forest do possess a sprinkling of talent capable of changing games in an instant. Glasner admitted that the combination of the squad’s quality and the ambition of owner Marinakis were the primary factors that attracted him to Nottingham Forest, even though the club had not been on his radar before the summer. "The ambition of Mr. Marinakis and the potential I see in these players made this an exciting project," he said.
Forest supporters may be content with simply maintaining their 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 a clear, actionable plan to prove his long‑term suitability.
The question now remains: can this managerial dark horse, who has repeatedly defied the odds, once again strike gold with Nottingham Forest? The answer will hinge on his ability to instil stability, nurture the existing talent, make shrewd signings and, above all, translate his tactical acumen into consistent results on the pitch.