Vitor Pereira fires stern warning to Nottingham Forest players in first press conference since taking job
Vitor Pereira has delivered a blunt message to Nottingham Forest’s players: embrace his approach or face the prospect of dropping into the Championship.
The Portuguese coach was unveiled on Tuesday as Forest’s fourth permanent manager of the current campaign, setting an unwanted club record.
Pereira follows Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche through the City Ground exit door this season.
“If you don’t buy the idea of the manager it’s a big problem, and you must also buy the personality,” Pereira stated.
“If you buy the idea and the person, have an open mind to receive information and to work hard together, it’s possible to achieve what we want.”
While Nuno departed following a disagreement with club hierarchy, the influence of players was clearly instrumental in the dismissals of both Postecoglou and Dyche.
Dyche lost his position just hours after a goalless draw against Wolves – the same club that had dismissed Pereira last November.
Vitor Pereira is eager to make his mark at Nottingham Forest
|
PA
Despite Dyche guiding Forest out of the relegation places, concerning performances and visible discontent among the squad convinced owner Evangelos Marinakis to make another change.
The 57-year-old has conducted just one training session with his new squad but remains impressed by their ability.
“I have had one training session with them but they have quality,” Pereira said. “They are top players.”
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWS
Pereira also acknowledged the challenges his players have endured this term, with multiple managers bringing different approaches.
“It’s been a difficult season for them. With different methods and different managers it’s not easy,” he explained.
Nevertheless, the Portuguese accepted the role because of his faith in the squad’s capabilities, the club’s potential and Marinakis’s ambition.
“I believe in our work. Together we can increase our level,” Pereira added.
His first match in charge will come on Thursday when Forest travel to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League – a club where Pereira previously worked during his managerial career.
Pereira’s appointment carries echoes of his previous collaboration with Marinakis at Olympiacos during the 2014-15 campaign.
Sean Dyche departed Nottingham Forest last week after just 114 days at the helm
|
REUTERSJoining the Greek club mid-season, he secured both the league title and cup – a domestic double that clearly left a lasting impression on the Forest owner.
“He’s ambitious. He wants to win, he’s emotional and I know him very well,” Pereira said of Marinakis.
The manager revealed their discussions before his appointment centred on that successful spell in Athens.
“I remember the energy and the fire we created. He asked me to be myself,” Pereira recalled. “He trusts my work I trust his personality because in football we need passion too.”
