Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest have appointed Vitor Pereira as their fourth manager of the season, confirming the Portuguese coach on Sunday.
The former Wolves boss has signed an 18-month contract following the dismissal of Sean Dyche earlier this week. Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou were also relieved of their duties during what has been a turbulent campaign for the club.
“Nottingham Forest is delighted to confirm that Vitor Pereira has been appointed as head coach on an 18-month deal,” the club said in a statement.
Pereira’s immediate task will be to steer Forest clear of the relegation zone. The club are currently three points above the drop with 12 matches remaining.
Dyche was sacked after Wednesday’s goalless draw against bottom-placed Wolves, a game in which Forest registered 35 shots but failed to score. His tenure lasted just 114 days, coming shortly after Postecoglou’s brief 39-day spell in charge ended in October.
Pereira has been out of work since leaving Wolves in November following a difficult start to the season. The 57-year-old had previously guided Wolves to safety in the 2024–25 campaign after replacing Gary O’Neil, but he was unable to replicate that form this term.
He has also worked with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis during a spell at Greek side Olympiacos.
Forest’s managerial instability comes despite Nuno having led the club to an impressive seventh-place finish last season, securing their first European campaign since 1995–96. However, reported disagreements with Marinakis over transfer policy led to his departure in September after 21 months in charge.
Pereira’s first match at the helm will be next week’s Europa League play-off first leg away to Fenerbahce, although his primary objective remains preserving Forest’s Premier League status.
Earlier in his career, Pereira built his reputation at Porto, winning back-to-back league titles during a successful two-year spell. He has also managed Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, Fenerbahce in Turkey, Shanghai SIPG in China, and Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Flamengo.
