It is a big summer ahead for Nottingham Forest regardless of whether they retain their Premier League status
It will be an important summer for Nottingham Forest(Image: Getty)
Nottingham Forest reportedly approached departing Brest sporting director Gregory Lorenzi about a switch to the City Ground.
However, it seems the Reds have been pipped to the post in the race for the 42-year-old. As he prepares to leave Brest at the end of the season, his next move is said to have been decided.
Lorenzi is said to have made the call to end a decade-long stint as sporting director at the French outfit. It has been claimed operating on a tight budget “might have taken a toll” on him while he was also irked by criticism of the club’s transfer business last summer by head coach Eric Roy.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Get all the Nottingham Forest latest via our Facebook page
Lorenzi was said to have made the decision to seek a new challenge, resulting in interest from elsewhere – including Forest. According to reports from France, the Reds “sounded out” the former defender about a potential move.
Crystal Palace, Nice, Marseille and Saint-Etienne were also credited with an interest in him. And it is Nice who have reportedly got their man, according to Foot Mercato (via Get Football News France), as Lorenzi has “reached an agreement” to join them at the end of the season.
Nevertheless, a summer of change is still on the cards on the banks of the Trent. Regardless of whether Forest retain their Premier League status, a big off-season lies ahead.
The departure of global head of football Edu is on the cards, barely 12 months since his arrival at the club. The capture of the former Arsenal sporting director was regarded as a coup at the time but it has not worked out like that.
WORLD CUP LEGENDS: The stars who lit up football’s greatest tournament – Buy the Special Edition today
Edu’s role was to encompass working across Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis’ umbrella of clubs, which also includes Greek giants Olympiacos and Portuguese outfit Rio Ave. However, a turbulent season at the City Ground saw him coming under increasing scrutiny as the campaign went on.
Soon after Edu’s arrival there was a falling-out with Nuno Espirito Santo that culminated in the Portuguese’s dismissal as head coach. Since then, Forest have moved on to their fourth manager of the season in Vitor Pereira after the tenures of Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche did not work out.
Pereira has guided the club into the semi-finals of the Europa League. In the Premier League, the Reds are five points above the drop zone with four games remaining.
In addition to Edu’s expected exit, Forest look set to lose head of football development Craig Mulholland. He is in line to leave the club at the end of the season to take up the role of chief football office at the Scottish Football Association.
How important is this summer for Forest? Click HERE to have your say