Glasner Demands Change as Nottingham Forest’s Premier League Struggles Continue
Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has promised a tougher, uncompromising approach after another disappointing result left his side hovering near the bottom of the Premier League. Following a 2-0 defeat away to Brentford, the Austrian coach said the club could no longer accept the current run of form and that significant changes were needed.
Forest have won just once in competitive football this season, leaving supporters concerned about the team’s direction and prospects. Glasner’s blunt comments have added urgency to the debate, while raising a central question for the club: can the players respond quickly enough to turn their campaign around?
Glasner Says Nottingham Forest Must Change
“If you lose four out of five matches, that is not good enough,” Glasner said after Saturday’s loss at Brentford. “It is time now for us to change things, for me to change things, and that is what we will do.”
The manager indicated that he intends to reassess how the team operates, both on and off the pitch. He admitted he may have been too willing to compromise in certain areas and said he would now be clearer about what he expects from the squad.
“I had the feeling that, in some areas, I may have made too many compromises,” he said. “Now we have to decide what we want to do, what we have to do.”
The message was not simply about tactics or training. Glasner made it clear that Forest’s players must commit to the changes if they are to make progress. He believes a turnaround remains possible, but warned that it depends on the squad’s response.
“If the players get on board, then I think a turnaround is possible. If not, then there will be a sixth manager,” he said, referring to Forest’s frequent changes in the dugout since their return to the top flight in 2022.
A Difficult Start and a Familiar Challenge
Forest’s only competitive victory of the campaign came on 12 September, when they beat Aston Villa 2-0. The result offered a brief lift, but defeats have followed on either side of it. The club have since suffered five league losses and a League Cup elimination, a sequence that has intensified scrutiny of the team’s performance.
Glasner described the situation as resembling the difficult circumstances he faced at the club the previous year. He said rebuilding from the foundations was necessary and stressed that he was prepared to make decisions without hesitation.
“You have to change things and rebuild from the bottom up,” he said. “That is completely clear to me and that is what I will do. And without compromise. Zero! Zero! And if it does not work, they will let me know.”
His words suggest that changes could involve more than a revised starting lineup. Forest may need to address their defensive organisation, improve the connection between midfield and attack, and find greater consistency in their pressing and transition play. Those areas are especially important in the Premier League, where small lapses can quickly turn into costly goals.
Pressure on the Players—and the Club’s Leadership
Glasner sought to separate his own personal circumstances from the club’s results, saying the pressure did not affect his life away from football. He said he could return home and have breakfast with his family, indicating that he remains focused rather than overwhelmed by speculation about his future.
That composure, however, does not remove the uncertainty surrounding Forest. Chairman Tom Cartledge and owner Evangelos Marinakis will ultimately decide how much time the manager receives to implement his plans. The club’s history of changing coaches means Glasner’s reference to a possible sixth manager is more than a passing remark; it reflects a pattern that has shaped Forest’s recent Premier League story.
Frequent managerial turnover can make it difficult to establish a lasting identity. Each new coach may bring different tactical ideas, training methods and recruitment priorities. For a squad expected to adapt quickly, continuity can be valuable—but only if results begin to improve.
Glasner’s Record Offers Reasons for Patience
Glasner arrived at Forest in the summer after two years at Crystal Palace, where he built a strong reputation in English football. During his time in London, Palace won the FA Cup, the English Super Cup and the UEFA Conference League. Before moving to the Premier League, he also enjoyed notable success in Germany with VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt.
That record gives Forest a manager with experience of rebuilding teams and competing under pressure. It does not guarantee success, particularly during a poor run, but it may encourage the club to consider whether the current problems can be corrected through stability rather than another immediate change.
For Glasner, the test now is whether his demands translate into better performances. A more direct approach, firmer selection decisions or changes to the team’s shape could help, but the players must show greater discipline and determination. Forest also need to turn promising spells into points—a crucial difference between a competitive performance and a result that eases relegation concerns.
What Comes Next for Forest?
Forest’s upcoming fixtures will provide an early measure of whether Glasner’s warning has prompted a response. The schedule includes a match against Manchester City and a meeting with Brighton, two opponents likely to test the team’s defensive concentration and ability to cope with pressure.
For supporters following the Premier League, the key question is whether Forest can produce a more organised and confident display before the situation worsens. A single win would not solve every problem, but it could restore belief and give Glasner breathing room to continue his rebuild.
The manager has made his position clear: he sees no value in continuing with compromises that are not delivering results. Now the responsibility is shared. The players must buy into his demands, while the club’s leadership must decide whether to back his plan. Forest’s season—and Glasner’s future—may depend on how quickly those changes become visible on the pitch.
For fans looking ahead to the next round of football, any prediction about Forest’s recovery remains uncertain. Their recent form gives little room for complacency, but Glasner’s experience and willingness to act offer a possible route forward. The coming matches should reveal whether his uncompromising message can become the start of a genuine turnaround.
