Nottingham Forest’s fourth manager of the season, Vitor Pereira, expresses confidence in owner Marinakis.
New Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira is confident that his rapport with owner Evangelos Marinakis will enable him to navigate the challenges associated with the City Ground position.
The Portuguese coach has become Forest’s fourth manager this season, following the departures of Sean Dyche, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Ange Postecoglou last week, as Marinakis sought to avert Premier League relegation.
Pereira has previously collaborated with the passionate Greek businessman, having led Olympiacos to a league and cup double over ten years ago, and he believes this experience positions him well to handle the demands of the role.
“He has ambition. He desires to win, he is emotional, and I know him very well,” the former Wolves manager stated during his introductory press conference on Tuesday.
“Our discussions revolved around our time at Olympiacos. I recall the energy and enthusiasm we generated.
“Greece is somewhat akin to Turkey. There is a fiery spirit, they appreciate energy, and he encouraged me to be myself.
“He appreciated the way we achieved the league and cup during our time together.
“It was in the midst of the season, and we established a strong relationship. He has faith in my work, and I trust his character because passion is essential in football as well.
“I possess that fire and passion. Football is my passion, something that is always with me.
“I arrived with the intention to dedicate myself fully, to give my all to this club, and together we can succeed.
“This is the kind of pressure that makes football captivating. We perform better under pressure. I thrive on pressure to reach my highest level.
“Pressure is vital in football.”
Dyche was dismissed shortly after Wednesday’s goalless draw with Wolves, following a meeting with several senior players called by Marinakis for a review.
The former Burnley and Everton manager had lost significant confidence from his squad, and Pereira has urged his team to embrace his philosophy.
“If you embrace the concept, it’s a positive step,” he remarked. “If you resist the manager’s vision, it becomes a significant issue.
“You must also embrace the personality … If you accept the idea and the individual, maintain an open mindset to absorb information and collaborate diligently, it’s feasible to accomplish our goals.”
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Pereira successfully kept Wolves in the Premier League after taking over from Gary O’Neil in December 2024, leading them to midtable stability, and he is optimistic about achieving similar results with Forest.
He stated: “I prefer to focus on the present and the future. However, this season poses challenges for the players due to varying methodologies and different managers.
“It’s not straightforward, but I accepted this position because I believe in the players’ quality, the potential of this club, and the president’s ambition.
“Certainly, I believe it is possible [to avoid relegation]. I am confident that we can secure points, achieve results, and demonstrate quality in our performances.”
