Nottingham Forest want to build on the foundations laid by Vitor Pereira when the 2026/27 Premier League season begins
Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira on the training ground (Image: PA)
The final whistle had not even blown on the 2025/26 campaign when Vitor Pereira was spelling out just how important the next few months will be for Nottingham Forest.
“The teams who commit mistakes in pre-season, usually they pay the bill,” was the rather stark warning the Reds head coach delivered. He knows from past experience with Wolverhampton Wanderers that the summer can make or break a team’s season.
Forest will want to pick up from where they left off when the new term begins. They built momentum under Pereira as they secured survival with two games to spare, and they will be eager to use that as a springboard.
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Getting back to pushing for European football is the aim. Pereira’s men had a taste of it with their run to the Europa League semi-finals and they want to make a swift return to competing on the continent.
So how do the Reds avoid being dragged into another relegation battle and instead set their sights further up the table? There is plenty of work to be done…
Contracts sorted
Star defender Murillo putting pen to paper on a new deal last month was a statement of intent from Forest. Pereira described it as sending out a “message”.
Murillo continues to have his admirers but he is now under contract until 2030. The club’s next task is to ensure others follow suit.
Sorting out the manager’s future will be a priority. Pereira has said it will not be difficult to come to an agreement; doing so will be a key piece of the Reds’ summer jigsaw and underline the stability the Portuguese has established.
Neco Williams, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez could also be in line for fresh terms. Reports have suggested Forest are keen to hang on to goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, but with the German out of contract it remains to be seen whether a deal can be done. Additionally, some time soon Forest will need to consider where they stand with Matz Sels, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi as the trio have 12 months remaining on their contracts.
Anderson situation
The last thing the Reds need is for a transfer saga involving one of their prized assets dragging on throughout the summer. They have been there and done that with Morgan Gibbs-White 12 months ago – although admittedly that had a happy outcome as the No.10 ended up staying put and signing a new deal.
A good World Cup for Elliot Anderson would certainly increase his value. But if the in-demand midfielder is to move on, there is a delicate balance to be struck.
Pereira has said if an important player does leave, they must be replaced. He is also keen for the bulk of transfer business to be done early to ensure maximum time with his squad before the serious action begins.
The prospect of sourcing a replacement for Anderson is a daunting one. It is not a search to be left until the last minute.
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Planning ahead
Pereira did a lot of good work following his arrival in February. He instilled a fighting spirit in the dressing room, developed a unity among the players and with supporters, and he got his team playing well.
The foundations are there; the off-season is the time to keep stacking up the building blocks. Once Forest reconvene at the Nigel Doughty Academy, there will be an extended period of time to really work on developing those bonds and the style of play.
Having injured players back for the new term will make a difference, too. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ola Aina, Murillo, Nicolo Savona and John Victor were all absent for the run-in, leaving resources stretched.
The Reds want to come through the transfer window with the core of the dressing room intact and with a few key signings added. Without European football, there is no need for a big group but Pereira wants it to be a balanced one which still has competition for places.
Getting newcomers through the door quickly gives them plenty of opportunity to integrate before the season kicks off. Come August, Forest will hope hard graft behind the scenes and on the training pitch will pay off.
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