Connect with us

News

Nottingham Forest initiate discussions with Pereira following Dyche dismissal

Sean Dyche’s tenure as Nottingham Forest’s head coach has come to an end after only 114 days, and the club is currently in discussions with former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira to potentially take over the position.

In October, Sean Dyche was appointed as the manager of Nottingham Forest, marking a new chapter for the club.

Following Sean Dyche's dismissal after just 114 days in charge, Nottingham Forest has initiated talks with former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Vitor Pereira.

On Wednesday, Nottingham Forest played out a goalless draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the current bottom team in the Premier League, leaving them three points above the relegation zone with 12 matches remaining.

According to sources, Vitor Pereira is a top contender to succeed Dyche, having previously worked under Forest's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, at Olympiacos in Greece.

Pereira, aged 57, is credited with ensuring Wolverhampton Wanderers' Premier League status last season after joining mid-season, but he was let go in November with the team having only two points from 10 matches.

The departure of Dyche means Nottingham Forest is now searching for its fourth permanent manager of the season, having previously dismissed Ange Postecoglou in October and Nuno Espirito Santo in September.

A statement from the club confirmed that Sean Dyche has been relieved of his duties as head coach, effective immediately.

The statement expressed gratitude to Dyche and his staff for their efforts during their tenure and wished them the best of luck for the future, stating that no further comment would be made at this time.

This video is currently unavailable for playback.

Nottingham Forest's match against Wolverhampton Wanderers ended in a goalless draw at home, despite their dominant performance.

Ange Postecoglou's tenure as manager lasted only 39 days after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked just three matches into the 2025-26 season.

When Dyche took over at Nottingham Forest, the team was 18th in the table, having won only one game in their first eight matches of the season.

After a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth in his first match, Dyche led the team to four wins and one draw in the next seven games, guiding them out of the relegation zone.

Although the team then suffered four consecutive defeats, they responded with a four-match unbeaten run, including a 2-1 win over West Ham and a goalless draw with league leaders Arsenal.

However, the improved form of Leeds United and West Ham has kept Nottingham Forest in the midst of a relegation battle.

Nottingham Forest finished 13th in their Europa League group, with four wins, two draws, and two losses, and will compete in the knockout phase.

The team will face Fenerbahce in a two-leg match this month, with the first leg scheduled for Thursday, 19 February, for a chance to reach the last 16.

Nottingham Forest has been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions, losing to Swansea in the EFL Cup third round under Postecoglou and exiting the FA Cup on penalties to Wrexham under Dyche.

The story of Vitor Pereira's tenure at Wolverhampton Wanderers, which began with promise but ultimately ended in disappointment, serves as a cautionary tale.

Last season, Nottingham Forest was in contention for Champions League qualification but only managed to secure eight points from their final eight matches.

The team finished seventh and qualified for the Conference League but was later moved to the Europa League for the 2025-26 season due to Crystal Palace's breach of multi-club ownership rules.

During this period, the relationship between Nuno Espirito Santo and owner Evangelos Marinakis deteriorated, ultimately leading to Nuno's dismissal in September.

Sean Dyche had previously been a part of Nottingham Forest's youth team in the late 1980s under the management of Brian Clough but never made a first-team appearance.

Before joining Nottingham Forest, Dyche was in charge of Everton but was sacked in January 2025 after nearly two years at the helm.

Dyche spent almost a decade as Burnley's manager, from October 2012 to April 2022, achieving two promotions to the top flight and guiding the team to European competition for the first time since 1967.

He also had a stint as Watford's manager during the 2011-2012 season but lost his job due to a change in ownership.

This video is currently unavailable for playback.

Sean Dyche's final interview as Nottingham Forest manager can be watched here.

Following the goalless draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, Dyche's comments seemed to hint at an impending change.

The draw, which saw Nottingham Forest have 35 attempts on goal without scoring, left them just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis was visibly frustrated during the match, appearing increasingly agitated as the team's missed opportunities mounted.

In a post-match interview, before his dismissal, Dyche stated that the owner had been fair to him and acknowledged that change is an inherent part of the sport.

Dyche recognized that the owner has the power to make changes and that it is a reality of the football world.

He also acknowledged that the atmosphere at the club had shifted significantly in recent games.

Dyche had initially steadied the ship after a poor start to the season under Postecoglou, winning seven of his first 12 games in charge.

If the season were to have started from when Dyche took over, Nottingham Forest would be mid-table, six points above third-from-bottom Tottenham.

Dyche had even been nominated for Premier League Manager of the Month just a week prior to his dismissal, with two wins and one loss in their previous six matches.

Former England striker Alan Shearer expressed his support for Dyche on Match of the Day, just an hour before the manager's dismissal, citing his experience and know-how in the Premier League.

Shearer stated that he would have stuck with Dyche, given his credentials and performance.

Shearer's comments were a testament to Dyche's abilities as a manager, despite the challenges he faced during his tenure at Nottingham Forest.

Danny Murphy, a former Tottenham midfielder, has expressed his admiration for the managerial abilities of a particular individual, stating that he would be an ideal candidate to lead a team in a relegation battle.

Murphy's assessment is based on the manager's extensive experience and calm demeanor, which he believes would be invaluable assets in a high-pressure situation, making it unwise to consider replacing him.

Additionally, Murphy notes that the team's owner, Marinakis, may be inclined to grant the manager a significant amount of autonomy, given his instrumental role in the team's promotion to the Premier League and their subsequent participation in European competitions.

Murphy argues that it would be challenging to find a more suitable replacement, as the current manager has demonstrated his capabilities in navigating difficult situations, making him an ideal choice to lead the team in their current struggle.

The managerial upheaval began with the dismissal of Nuno, who was let go just 23 days into the season.

His successor, Postecoglou, had an even shorter tenure, lasting only 39 days.

In contrast, Dyche's tenure lasted 114 days, although it ultimately ended in his departure from the club.

Nottingham Forest is now facing the unprecedented task of searching for their fourth manager of the season, as the team continues to grapple with a series of crises.

The roots of Forest's problems can be traced back to the disagreements between Nuno, global sporting director Edu, and owner Marinakis, which ultimately led to Nuno's departure.

The appointment of Postecoglou is widely regarded as a misstep, as his managerial style clashed with the team's existing approach, leading to a period of instability.

Dyche's appointment was initially seen as a stabilizing force, given his connection to the club and his intention to revert to a more familiar style of play.

During his first 12 games in charge, Dyche led the team to seven victories, which helped to stabilize the club's season and position them mid-table in the league, based on results since his appointment in October.

However, a decline in form, with only two wins in the last 10 league games, combined with an unexpected FA Cup exit to Wrexham, led to a loss of confidence in Dyche from both the board and the fans.

The current state of the season is a far cry from the initial expectations, as Forest had anticipated a successful campaign with the return of European football to the City Ground for the first time in nearly two decades.

The consequences of the failed appointments and the breakdown in relationships have left Forest in a precarious position, with the team's fortunes having taken a dramatic turn for the worse.

Having finished seventh in the previous season and invested £180m, the possibility of relegation is now a very real concern, especially given the team's initial ambitions, which included a strong performance in the Europa League.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Nottingham Forest, please refer to our dedicated section.

If you have any questions about Nottingham Forest, please feel free to ask, and we will do our best to provide you with the information you are looking for.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Serie A to air on BBC with live coverage of Scottish matches

A new multi-game rights deal has enabled the BBC to broadcast live coverage of matches featuring several Scotland internationals, including Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Lennon Miller, Kieron Bowie, and Josh Doig, starting this Sunday.

A number of Scottish players, including Che Adams, Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lennon Miller, and Lewis Ferguson, are currently competing in Italy's top division, Serie A.

The upcoming Serie A match between Torino and Bologna will be a notable fixture, featuring several Scottish players.

The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, 15 February, with a kick-off time of 17:00 GMT, at a venue that will be announced.

Fans can catch the live coverage of the match on BBC Alba, starting from 16:50.

A growing list of Scottish players, including Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Che Adams, Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, and Kieron Bowie, are making a name for themselves in Serie A.

With a record number of Scots playing in Italy's top flight, the BBC is now providing live coverage of their matches, allowing fans to follow their favorite players.

As part of a new package, the BBC will broadcast eight live Serie A matches, showcasing the talents of Scottish players as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

The first match to be broadcast on BBC Alba will be the encounter between Torino, featuring striker Che Adams, and Bologna, featuring midfielder Lewis Ferguson, on Sunday, with a 17:00 GMT kick-off.

Bologna will be looking to bounce back from five consecutive domestic defeats, despite recent impressive results in the Europa League and against Celtic.

During their recent run, Bologna drew 2-2 with Celtic and secured a 3-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.

Torino, on the other hand, has only managed one win in their last five outings but will be seeking to build on their recent 2-2 draw against Fiorentina.

Scotland's Nations League campaign is set to begin in Slovenia.

Clarke has confirmed that Barnes will not be making a switch to Scotland.

Scotland is scheduled to face Switzerland in the Nations League.

Future BBC Alba broadcasts will feature matches involving Napoli's Scottish duo, Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, who is nearing a return from injury, as well as Lennon Miller's Udinese, Josh Doig's Sassuolo, and Kieron Bowie's Hellas Verona.

The number of Scottish players in Serie A has reached a record high, with the likes of Liam Henderson, who has played for several Italian clubs, now competing in Serie B.

Further details of the Serie A matches to be broadcast on BBC Alba will be announced in the coming weeks.

Margaret Cameron, director of content at BBC Alba, expressed her excitement about the opportunity for Scottish fans to watch their favorite players in action, free-to-air, ahead of the World Cup.

Presenter Alex O'Henley is looking forward to hosting the coverage of what he describes as a "golden era" for Scottish players in Italy.

With the World Cup approaching, O'Henley believes it's an exciting time for Scottish fans to follow the fortunes of their players in Italy.

Kieron Bowie made his debut for Verona against Pisa.

Che Adams, who was born in Leicester, has established himself as a key player for Scotland, earning 45 caps and scoring 11 goals since switching allegiances in 2021.

This season, Adams has scored six goals in 26 appearances for Torino, who currently sit 13th in the Serie A table.

Kieron Bowie, who began his career with Raith Rovers, has risen to prominence with Hibernian, scoring nine goals in 30 appearances before joining Hellas Verona in January.

Bowie made his debut for Verona in a 0-0 draw against Pisa, earning his first start for the club.

Josh Doig, who started his career with Hibernian, has become a regular player in Serie A, first with Verona and now with Sassuolo, earning one cap for Scotland.

Doig has made 24 appearances, including 20 starts, for Sassuolo this season.

Lewis Ferguson, who began his career with Hamilton Academical, has become a key player for Bologna, earning 21 caps for Scotland and leading his team to a Coppa Italia final win over AC Milan.

Ferguson has made 29 appearances, including 21 starts, for Bologna this season, helping the team to eighth place in the table.

Billy Gilmour, who started his career with Rangers, has played for several clubs, including Chelsea and Norwich City, before joining Napoli in 2024, where he won his first league title.

Gilmour has been limited to 12 appearances, including six starts, this season due to injury, but is nearing a return to action.

Scott McTominay, who came through Manchester United's youth ranks, has become a key player for Napoli, earning 67 caps for Scotland and scoring 14 goals, including a notable overhead kick against Denmark.

McTominay has made 34 appearances for Napoli this season, scoring 10 goals and helping the team to a strong position in the table.

Lennon Miller, who began his career with Motherwell, has made a promising start to his career, earning four caps for Scotland and joining Udinese in August.

Miller has made 14 appearances, including six starts, for Udinese this season.

Fans can stay up-to-date with their favorite clubs through BBC Sport.

Continue Reading

News

GB men’s curling team suffers upset defeat to Italy

At the 2026 Winter Olympics, Great Britain’s men’s curling team mounted a comeback against Italy following a disappointing beginning, ultimately falling short in their inaugural match.

Despite a valiant comeback, Team GB ultimately fell short as Italy held their composure to secure the win in the final end.

A dismal start to the match proved costly for Team GB's men, as they suffered their first defeat of the Winter Olympics at the hands of host nation Italy, despite a spirited fightback in the packed Cortina Curling Stadium.

Following victories in their first two matches, including a win over the Swedish rink that beat them in the gold-medal match four years ago, Team GB entered their second high-profile encounter in as many days in a confident position.

However, a disastrous opening end, in which Italy stole four points, left Team GB trailing and facing an uphill battle in front of a boisterous home crowd.

The British team, currently ranked number one in the world, gradually regained their footing and managed to level the score by the ninth end.

Ultimately, Italy maintained their composure in the final end to emerge victorious, winning 9-7 and adding Team GB to their list of scalps, which already included the Swedes.

"We had to dig deep and play some solid curling, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to get us over the line," Team GB lead Hammy McMillan said in an interview with BBC Sport.

With seven wins from nine round-robin matches guaranteeing a spot in the semi-finals, Team GB remains in a strong position, although fewer wins may still be sufficient to advance.

The women's team is set to take to the ice next, facing South Korea in their second match at 13:05 GMT, while the men will return to action on Saturday against the Czech Republic at the same time.

Team GB is at the forefront of curling's technological advancements.

Embracing what sets you apart can be a powerful asset, according to some athletes.

A daily guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date with the action.

The looks of shock on the faces of Team GB's curlers told the story of a disastrous opening end.

With a stone in play, Mouat attempted a risky shot in an effort to claim two points, but it backfired, resulting in none of Team GB's stones in the house and four Italian stones in position.

However, the Scottish quartet, ranked number one in the world, quickly regained their composure and got back to their game.

The teams exchanged singles before a impressive final throw by Mouat, aided by a measurement to determine which stone was closest to the button, allowed Team GB to claim two points and narrow the gap to 5-3.

Another excellent team effort, which included a well-judged throw by Mouat, a solid sweep by Hammy McMillan and Bobby Lammie, and Grant Hardie's strategic expertise, forced Italy to concede a point in the fourth end, reducing the deficit to a single point at the break.

Italy blanked the sixth end and added two points in the seventh to rebuild their lead, but Team GB fought back with two points of their own, remarkably levelling the score with one end remaining after a steal.

The match came down to the final end, but Italy held their nerve to secure the win, prompting a deafening roar from the crowd.

"It's an incredible experience, and we need to get used to it," McMillan added, describing the electric atmosphere as "surreal" and "cool," more akin to a football match than a typical curling crowd.

Continue Reading

News

Scotland Kicks Off Nations League Against Slovenia

Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland set to begin their campaign on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.

Uefa has released the schedule for the Nations League, with Scotland's campaign set to begin on 26 September with an away match against Slovenia.

The team's six group stage games will be played within a three-month period, culminating in a match against Switzerland on 16 November.

The fixture list was announced following Thursday's draw, which placed Scotland in a group with Switzerland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia.

Having been relegated from League A after a play-off loss to Greece last year, Scotland will compete in the second tier of the Nations League this year.

In response to the draw, head coach Steve Clarke noted that the teams in the group appear to be evenly matched.

Clarke reflected on the team's past experience in the competition, stating that it has been beneficial for Scotland.

He emphasized the importance of the Nations League, citing its role in helping the team qualify for Euro 2020, and anticipated a challenging set of matches.

A key matchup in the Nations League will see Scotland face off against Switzerland.

The group stage will determine the teams' fates, with the winner earning promotion, the runner-up entering a play-off, the third-placed team facing a relegation play-off, and the fourth-placed team being relegated directly.

The upcoming group games will mark a reunion for Scotland and Switzerland, who previously drew 1-1 in Cologne at Euro 2024.

Scotland's last encounter with Slovenia was during the 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, when they won 1-0 at home and drew 2-2 away.

The team has not played North Macedonia since the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, when they drew 1-1 at home and won 2-1 away, with goals from Ikechi Anya and Shaun Maloney.

The schedule for Scotland's Nations League campaign begins on 26 September with a match against Slovenia.

The team will then host Switzerland on 29 September, followed by a trip to face North Macedonia on 3 October.

Scotland will then play Slovenia at home on 6 October, before hosting North Macedonia on 11 November.

The final group stage match will see Scotland travel to face Switzerland on 16 November.

The team's home match against North Macedonia is set for 11 November.

The campaign will conclude with an away match against Switzerland on 16 November.

Continue Reading

Trending