After a memorable 2024/25, it is almost time for Nottingham Forest to do it all over again.
The countdown is on to the start of the new Premier League campaign, with little more than a month to go before the serious action begins. But before then, the Reds face a big pre-season.
The players will report back for duty at the Nigel Doughty Academy on Monday and have an important few weeks ahead of them in preparation for a 2025/26 campaign that will also involve European football again after a long hiatus.
Reds reporter Sarah Clapson takes a look at what should be pn head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s summer to-do list...
Squad assessment
Forest need to ensure they have sufficient strength in depth to cope with the additional games from competing in Europe next term. Navigating the Conference League as well as trying to maintain progress on the domestic front will stretch Nuno’s resources.
The Portuguese typically prefers to work with a small squad but will likely have to be flexible on that front this time around. He will use the next few weeks to run the rule over the options he has at his disposal.
It has been a quiet summer so far on the transfer front, so currently Nuno doesn’t have too much work to do with regards helping new faces settle in. But that is expected to change in the near future, with striker Igor Jesus in line to link up with the Reds from Botafogo.
Transfers are a collective business at the City Ground, but Nuno does have an input. Forest already have a clear plan of what is required but the boss’ assessment of players already on the books could provide additional clarity.
Transfer decisions
Pre-season is an opportunity for Nuno to make a judgement call on some players. Some he has worked with before, others he will meet for the first time.
David Carmo, Marko Stamenic and Tyler Bindon immediately headed out on loan after putting pen to paper Trentside. This summer will be Nuno’s first chance to take a look at them first-hand.
Matt Turner, Omar Richards, Lewis O’Brien, Josh Bowler and Emmanuel Dennis are also returning from loan spells. In all such cases, decisions need to be made over what happens next.
Nuno can run the rule over those concerned and decide whether they can have a part to play in the upcoming campaign. For several, their futures are likely to be elsewhere in the form of permanent or temporary moves.
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Plan B implementation
Forest had a very distinct style last term. It certainly worked for them as they upset plenty of the big boys on their way to finishing seventh in the Premier League and making it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
There is certainly no need for Nuno to rip up what was so effective. But to keep progressing, the Reds need to both improve on what they have been good at and also find other ways of playing. They need to make sure they have a Plan B.
What Forest achieved last season was incredible. Nevertheless, how the final weeks panned out - with a Champions League spot slipping from their grasp - will have hurt.
As well as enjoying a well-deserved break, Nuno will no doubt have done some reflecting over the past few weeks. How to avoid a similar late dip in form next time around will surely have been at the front of his mind.
With rivals regrouping and strengthening, the Premier League will be just as tough - if not tougher - in 2025/26. Pre-season is a chance for Forest to plot the course ahead.
Euro preparation
Planning for a continental adventure has the added complexity for the Reds in that they are still waiting for clarification on which competition they will be in. This particular saga has been full of twists and turns, and a conclusion is yet to be reached.
Forest qualified for the Conference League but could be upgraded to the Europa League if Crystal Palace are booted out. The Eagles’ fate rests on whether they are deemed to have breached UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
For now, Nuno’s men must park any uncertainty and simply focus on getting ready for a new test. The club have not been in Europe for three decades, so regardless of which tournament they are in there is a lot to be excited about.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis is an ambitious man. Whatever the powers-that-be decide, he will want the Reds to give it a good go and push for silverware. The challenge is on!
What else should Nuno have on his to-do list? Click HERE to have your say