It is day one in the job for Oliver Glasner at Nottingham Forest as the build-up to the 2026/27 campaign begins.
Glasner’s appointment as Reds head coach was confirmed last week, following the surprise departure of Vitor Pereira. Today (Monday) it is down to business as the Austrian arrived at the Nigel Doughty Academy this morning.
With Forest players reporting for pre-season, Glasner met his charges for the first time. It was a case of smiles and handshakes all round on a sunny July day.
Make no mistake, though, this is when the hard graft starts. The change in manager was made with the aim of pushing the club forward and targeting a return to European football.
Glasner will have a full summer to work with his group, all with the goal of ensuring they hit the ground running when the serious action kicks off in August. So, what will be in the 51-year-old’s in-tray as he gets to work?
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Squad assessment
Glasner will be relatively well versed on the make-up of his dressing room after coming up against the Reds during his time at Crystal Palace. In his appointment announcement, he referenced the “potential within the squad” as being key to his decision to join the club.
Nevertheless, the coming weeks will be when the new man properly gets the opportunity to run the rule over his players. He will get a first-hand look at the talent at his disposal and will be able to assess the different personalities that comprise Forest’s squad.
There was never going to be a need for a mass overhaul of the group this summer. Only a few minor tweaks should be required to build on the strong foundations already in place.
Glasner may well have his own ideas about what the Reds need. This is his opportunity to conduct a thorough assessment of the players on the books as he works toward establishing his first-choice XI.
Transfer decisions
Elliot Anderson’s £116 million move to Manchester City has left a big hole to be filled in midfield. The England international will certainly not be an easy man to replace.
Winger Jota Silva and centre-back David Carmo have also departed, both to Olympiacos. And although Forest want to keep the core of their group together, Glasner will likely have a few key calls to make about the future of some players.
Defender Tyler Bindon is one. The New Zealand international spent last term on loan at Sheffield United then represented his country at the World Cup, but it remains to be seen whether he will have a part to play Trentside.
Omar Richards, meanwhile, remains under contract after returning from a loan stint at Rio Ave - albeit it would not be a surprise to see the left-back head elsewhere. Additionally, there has been transfer speculation about the likes of Nicolo Savona and Dan Ndoye which could give the new boss some decisions to make.
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Fitness calls
Callum Hudson-Odoi has continued to work hard on getting back to fitness during the off-season. Injury brought the winger’s 2025/26 campaign to a premature end and he underwent surgery in April.
Last month, in a positive sign, Hudson-Odoi posted footage on social media showing he was back on the grass. With his rehab seemingly going well, Glasner will want to assess what stage the 25-year-old is at.
Murillo, Ola Aina, John Victor and Savona were also absent toward the end of the season. In the case of John and Savona, both were sidelined from January onwards.
The whole squad will undergo fitness tests but it will be particularly important to see how the recently-injured players are doing. It will help inform Glasner’s thinking when it comes to sharing out the minutes during upcoming friendlies.
Positive vibes
The coming weeks will give Glasner the chance to impose his ideas and get Forest playing in the style he wants. Time on the training pitch and a series of friendlies will be vital.
But as important as any tactical work the Reds do this summer will be developing a sense of unity in the dressing room. Pereira was able to establish a real togetherness among the group in a short space of time, and it will be up to Glasner to build on what the Portuguese started.
Forest want to aim high in this new era. They want to get back to competing on the European stage after relishing their run to the Europa League semi-finals last time out.
In Glasner, they have brought in a proven winner who knows what it takes to claim silverware. The Reds will hope what happens over the next few weeks can lay the foundations for a successful season ahead.
What else will be on Glasner's to-do list? Click HERE to have your say
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Nottingham Forest reporter Sarah Clapson
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