It didn’t end how they hoped it would but Nottingham Forest can still look back on an excellent season now the 2024/25 campaign has come to a close.
There is disappointment and frustration that the Reds did not achieve the top-five finish and Champions League qualification they had in their grasp for so long. But coming seventh and making the Conference League still represents significant progress.
The challenge for Forest now is to kick on again. Below, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at the latest goings-on at the City Ground on the back of Sunday’s final-day 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.
Super Sels
Although he didn’t manage to sign off for the season with another clean-sheet, Matz Sels still took home the Golden Glove award. The Belgian and Arsenal’s David Raya finished on 13 shut-outs apiece and shared the honour.
Sels is the first goalkeeper from outside of the Gunners, Chelsea, Liverpool and both Manchester clubs to claim the trophy since its inception in 2004/05. The 33-year-old says he couldn’t have done it without the help of his teammates.
"It's a big achievement so I'm really happy but not only for me but for the team,” he told Sky Sports (via the BBC). “It means we had a great season, almost the whole season on a Champions League spot. Sadly we couldn't finish it but we need to be proud of the season we've had. We will play in Europe.
"When I came last year, I came in a difficult situation (battling for Premier League survival). This kind of achievement is always from the team. It's the same if a striker scores a lot of goals."
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Transfer hint
The Reds have an option to sign Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno on a permanent basis this summer. But if a message the full-back posted on social media is anything to go by, it seems unlikely they will take it up.
Moreno was not even in the match squad against the Blues. He has not played since starting the 1-0 defeat to Everton on April 12.
In his post, Moreno said: “Mission accomplished. We’ve qualified for the UEFA Conference League.
“I’d like to take this moment to say goodbye to all the fans - a wonderful crowd who always deserve the very best. It’s been a pleasure sharing so many great moments.
“Thank you to my teammates and all the club staff who supported me every single day. I’ll carry a piece of each of you in my heart. Wishing you all the best in Europe! @officialnffc”
Prize money
Champions League football would have been transformative for Forest, particularly with the financial boost which comes with making Europe’s elite club competition. But qualifying for the Conference League arguably offers a more sustainable route of building for the long-term.
The Reds’ coffers will still be bolstered by competing on the continent, even if not quite to the same extent had they made either of the other two European competitions. Moreover, finishing seventh in the Premier League table is still indicative of the great strides made given the previous two seasons were spent scrapping for survival.
According to The Mirror, Forest will bank £39.4 million by way of prize money for coming in seventh. There is around £3m difference between each Premier League finishing place.
The exact amount will not be confirmed until the league releases their annual report which will break down exactly how much each club received, but the figures are expected to be similar to last term. With that in mind, champions Liverpool are set to claim £56.4m, while sixth-placed Aston Villa will get in the region of £42.2m, eighth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion £36.7m and bottom club Southampton £2.8m.
Marinakis message
There is no doubt owner Evangelos Marinakis is hugely ambitious and will want the Reds to build on this season. His son, Miltiadis, indicated as such.
Miltiadis posted on X after Sunday’s defeat: “What a season! Congratulations to all our players and staff on a fantastic campaign. We wanted more - but we fought with pride throughout.
“Thank you to our fans for your unbelievable support all year. We’ll be back even stronger next season. Dream it. Believe it. Do it. @NFFC #nffc #europe”
Shipping magnate Marinakis will no doubt be keen for Forest to be competitive in the Conference League next term. He will also want to ensure challenging at the top end of the Premier League table becomes a regular occurrence. A big summer lies ahead as the Reds aim to strengthen Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad.
What has impressed me recently
The season as a whole should still be viewed in a hugely positive light, regardless of how it ended. Forest will be frustrated and disappointed at missing out on the Champions League having been well placed to finish in the top five heading into the final stretch. But overall, significant progress has been made this term.
Moment missed from the weekend
Reds players were going through their warm-up routine on Sunday when they suddenly came to a stop. To a man, they all turned towards Taiwo Awoniyi and joined the City Ground crowd in applauding their teammate.
Awoniyi had received a standing ovation when he made his way onto the pitch. The front man is recovering from the serious abdominal injury he sustained when he collided with a post during the 2-2 draw with Leicester City a fortnight ago.
Player with a point to prove
Ibrahim Sangare has not looked back since being handed a start in the 1-1 draw away to Crystal Palace at the start of the month. The former PSV man had started the campaign as first-choice in midfield before injury stopped him in his tracks. He then had to be patient when it came to forcing his way back into the XI.
But if he did feel he had something to prove, the 27-year-old more than managed it over the last few weeks. He showed he can be a key figure next term.
Next up
Much-needed rest for players and staff. Nuno admitted afterwards that it had been a demanding season on all of them and had taken its toll. Forest looked physically and mentally drained in the closing weeks of the campaign as they ran out of steam.
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