Vitor Pereira is expected to become the new manager of Nottingham Forestplaceholder image
Vitor Pereira is expected to become the new manager of Nottingham Forest | Getty Images
A former Wolves boss is closing in on a return to the Premier League
Pereira, who is expected to become the club’s fourth different manager this season, is in line to replace Sean Dyche, who despite boasting the best win percentage of any manager in the Evangelos Marinakis era, was sacked after just 114 days in the dugout, with his final match coming against Wolves in a nervy 0-0 draw which saw Jose Sa make 10 saves to deny the club that were interested in signing him in January.
Dyche left Forest three points above the relegation zone with 12 games of the season remaining. Forest now have a seven-day break before their next game - a Europa League play-off with Fenerbahce next Thursday.
Pereira edges closer to managerial return
Pereira looks set for a return to Premier League management for the first time since leaving Wolves in December 2024.
The well-traveled Portuguese coach has experience at clubs like Fenerbahçe (twice), FC Porto, 1860 Munich and Flamengo - managing in various different continents and leagues.
He joined Wolves mid-way through the 2024/25 campaign, replacing Gary O’Neil mid-season at a time when the Old Gold were in 19th position and successfully steered the team to safety while also overseeing a six-match winning streak in the top-flight for the first time since 1970.
Things unravelled for Pereira in his first full term in charge after Matheus Cunha, Rayan Ait-Nouri and captain Nelson Semedo’s departures, with the club failing to win any of their opening eight games, while picking up just two points in the process.
Pereira has worked under Marinakis before
Nottingham Forest’s decision to bring in the Portuguese coach sparks a reunion between Pereira and owner Marinakis.
The former Old Gold coach will be tasked with trying to harness the full potential of Nottingham Forest’s attacking options such as Lorenzo Lucca, Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White, Omari Hutchinson and Dan Ndoye among others. Forest’s lack of quality in the final third was reported to be one of the main reasons that Marinakis felt it was necessary to sack Dyche, although it’s worth noting that the former Burnley boss didn’t get a single opportunity to utilise last year’s top scorer Chris Wood due to injury.
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