When Vitor Pereira took over as Nottingham Forest's fourth permanent head coach this season, the team looked destined for the Championship. Now, thanks to his holistic approach, the same squad that struggled under Sean Dyche, Ange Postecoglou, and Nuno Espirito Santo is on the brink of Champions League qualification.
Pereira's most notable achievement has been reviving the careers of summer signings like James McAtee, Dilane Bakwa, and Jair Cunha, who cost nearly £70 million combined but were marginalized by previous managers. Dyche alienated the squad after a FA Cup loss to Wrexham, criticizing the rotated starters and angering influential players like Morgan Gibbs-White. Pereira immediately reversed that dynamic by holding individual meetings with each fringe player, convincing them they would have a role. He and his assistant Luis Miguel worked until 3 a.m. analyzing players' physical and technical data, then designed bespoke training sessions to improve fitness and rhythm. The result: Jair Cunha's playing time jumped from 5% under Dyche to 31% under Pereira, and forgotten forward Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice at Chelsea.
Pereira also addressed the set-piece weaknesses that plagued previous regimes. Under Dyche, Forest conceded 7 of 34 goals from set pieces (excluding penalties); under Postecoglou, 10 of 18. Pereira handed set-piece duties to Luis Miguel, whom the squad calls a "genius." Since then, only 2 of 13 goals conceded have come from set pieces, while Forest's own set-piece scoring rate stayed around 20%. The defensive solidity has taken pressure off goalkeeper Matz Sels, who no longer needs to make world-class saves every week.
Beyond tactics, Pereira focused on morale. Both Postecoglou and Dyche worked with small circles of assistants, leaving existing analysts and performance staff feeling undervalued. Pereira integrated his own team with the club's long-serving staff, fostering collaboration. His management style, described as a mix of Carlo Ancelotti's warmth and firmness, resonates with a Gen Z squad that responds better to constructive discussion than harsh criticism. When he moved captain Gibbs-White from No. 10 to the left wing, he framed it as a conversation between equals rather than a command, and the star player accepted.
Pereira's transformation extends to the training ground atmosphere. At a recent press conference before the Europa Conference League first leg against Aston Villa, he and defender Ola Aina shared an easy rapport, a stark contrast to the tension under Postecoglou and Dyche. The Portuguese coach has also shown emotional intelligence by praising Omari Hutchinson, who became a first-team regular after struggling under three previous managers.
However, questions remain about the future. Pereira performed similarly well at Wolves last season, only to see key players sold and be sacked in November. Forest faces potential departures of Elliot Anderson, Murillo, and Gibbs-White. But for now, Pereira has created a united squad where even fringe players feel valued, and the team is thriving.
Based on reporting from Football | Mail Online.
