Vitor Pereira takes charge of Nottingham Forest to rescue struggling Premier League team and rebuild squad unity in Nottingham

Vitor Pereira’s appointment as Nottingham Forest manager brings a mix of hope and curiosity.

Fans of Wolves remember him fondly for his mantra, “First the points, then the pints,” often spotting him enjoying a drink with supporters after victories.

Now, arriving in Nottingham, Pereira finds himself in another city with an equally rich pub culture—from Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem to the Canalhouse—where success on the pitch could make him an instant favourite off it too.

But which version of Pereira will turn up at the City Ground? Will it be the celebrated coach who guided Wolves to survival, or the 2025-26 model whose tenure ended in disappointment?

At 57, Pereira has managed clubs in eight countries and will be taking charge of his 15th club—a nomadic career that has given him a wealth of experience and adaptability.

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How Pereira Came to Forest

After Forest’s 0-0 draw with Wolves, key players including captain Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams, and Nikola Milenkovic met with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

The meeting reportedly focused on squad unity rather than criticizing former boss Sean Dyche.

Marinakis had likely been preparing for a coaching change if results didn’t improve, and this discussion allowed him to gauge the squad’s morale.

Forest players emphasized the need to rekindle the team spirit that nearly propelled them into the Champions League last season under Nuno Espirito Santo.

With talent like Elliot Anderson potentially worth £100 million and Gibbs-White £70 million, Forest’s squad is strong on paper.

Last summer’s £200 million investment enhanced the squad, though Anthony Elanga’s departure to Newcastle for £55 million was notable.

Now it falls to Pereira to unlock the squad’s potential.

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Pereira’s Strengths

Pereira’s greatest asset is his rapport with players.

His warmth, communication skills, and ability to motivate were key at Wolves and are exactly what Forest need after a turbulent season.

Unlike Dyche’s rigid approach or Postecoglou’s intensity, Pereira adapts to players’ personalities, having previously worked with stars like James Rodriguez, Joao Moutinho, Hulk, and World Cup winner Nicolas Otamendi.

At Wolves, he improved defensive solidity, especially from set pieces.

Under his guidance, Wolves conceded just six goals from dead-ball situations in 22 games—down from 16 in the previous 16 matches.

He balanced tactical discipline with player freedom, giving creative talents the license to express themselves.

Forest, who lack a player as free-roaming as Matheus Cunha, will benefit from Pereira’s flexibility.

His immediate challenge is securing buy-in from the squad and inspiring confidence, something supporters are eager to see after the post-Postecoglou era.

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Pereira’s Weaknesses

Pereira’s flaws emerged when tasked with broader responsibilities.

At Wolves, recruitment suffered from chaos and agent influence, his coaching staff grew too large, and training standards dipped.

Player management also became erratic, with frequent captain changes and unexplained substitutions straining relationships.

These issues may be less relevant at Forest, where the immediate priority is survival and team cohesion rather than club-wide reform.

A leaner coaching team and a focus on matchday preparation could see Pereira thrive in a more concentrated role.

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Verdict: Can Pereira Keep Forest Afloat?

Forest’s board and supporters can overlook Pereira’s recent struggles at Wolves.

When given a focused, simple challenge—keeping a team in the Premier League—he excelled.

The current Forest squad is at least as talented as last season’s Wolves side, giving him a solid foundation to work with.

His strengths as a communicator, motivator, and tactician are perfectly suited to this role, and if he can focus solely on the pitch, survival is within reach.

If Pereira succeeds, Nottingham Forest fans may never have to worry about his pub bills again, as victories and morale lift both the team and their new manager’s social life.

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What’s Next?

Pereira will have just 12 league games and at least two European fixtures to prove his worth. Immediate priorities include:

• Establishing trust and cohesion in the dressing room

• Securing points in critical matches to avoid relegation

• Assessing which tactical systems best suit the squad’s current strengths

How he manages players like Anderson, Gibbs-White, and Murillo will define whether Forest’s season ends in relief or disappointment.

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Summary

Vitor Pereira takes over Nottingham Forest amid hope and scrutiny.

Known for his warm personality and tactical acumen, he faces the challenge of rallying a talented squad after turbulent months.

Despite past struggles at Wolves, Pereira’s ability to communicate and motivate players makes him a strong candidate to secure Premier League survival, provided he focuses solely on coaching and avoids the wider distractions that hampered him before.