Oliver Glasner, the newly appointed head coach of Nottingham Forest, has spoken of the crucial role played by owner Evangelos Marinakis's ambition in convincing him to take the helm at the City Ground. Glasner, who previously enjoyed a successful two-year spell at Crystal Palace, revealed that a meeting over a seafood platter in Athens sealed his decision to sign a three-year contract with the Reds, making him their fifth head coach in under a year.
The Austrian manager, who met his new squad on Monday, expressed his enthusiasm for the club's potential for growth. Nottingham Forest successfully avoided relegation last season and also reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, a taste of European competition that Glasner hopes to make a regular occurrence. He remarked, "These players felt the sweet honey of playing European football and this year it's just butter – no honey – on the toast. Hopefully next year it will be sweeter."
Forest are already active in the transfer market, reportedly pushing to sign Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall in what could be a club-record deal, as they look to replace Elliot Anderson, who is departing for Manchester City. Glasner is also optimistic about securing at least two new additions before next week's training camp in Portugal, with midfielder Xavier Schlager, recently departed from RB Leipzig, close to joining on a free transfer.
Glasner, 51, who secured the FA Cup, Conference League, and Community Shield during his time at Palace, believes he can exceed expectations at Forest, but cautioned that success requires time and effort. He noted that it typically takes between three to six months for his coaching philosophy to become ingrained within a team. He emphasised that, while ambition is prevalent in the Premier League, it does not automatically guarantee silverware.
Dismissing suggestions that joining Forest was a risk given the club's recent managerial changes, Glasner stressed the importance of stability. He highlighted that both he and Marinakis are convinced that consistency is the bedrock of success. The club's rich history as two-time European champions was also an enticing factor, though Glasner insisted on looking forward, believing that collective effort and a shared direction are essential to fulfilling expectations and bringing joy to the club's supporters.