adminIn his first interview as Nottingham Forest head coach, Vítor Pereira described joining a “family” at the club. The Portuguese manager knows that unity and togetherness will be crucial for the Reds as they navigate the final stages of the season. Those qualities were clearly on display during a recent training session at the Nigel Doughty Academy, just ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League play-off second leg against Fenerbahce at the City Ground (8pm kick-off).
Before the warm-up even began, players and coaching staff gathered in a tight huddle. They then formed a tunnel for Brazilian striker Igor Jesus to run through, giving him enthusiastic pats on the back in celebration of his birthday. It was a simple but telling gesture of camaraderie and support within the squad.
With business soon underway, the session took on an energetic vibe under Pereira’s guidance. Holding a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg in Istanbul—where goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and Morgan Gibbs-White secured a dream debut win for the new boss—Forest are not resting on their laurels. Fenerbahce arrive at the City Ground hampered by injuries, but Pereira’s side remains focused on sealing progression to the Europa League last 16 without any complacency.
Notably absent from the sunny, spring-like morning session were several injured players: goalkeeper Matz Sels, John Victor, Nicolo Savona, and forward Chris Wood. Wood had recently been cleared to ramp up his recovery, but his non-participation suggests he’s not quite ready to return.
One clear shift under Pereira compared to some of his predecessors stood out: music blasted from a speaker throughout the drills. It injected an extra layer of energy into the session, mirroring the kind of lively, positive atmosphere the manager wants to see translated onto the pitch.
Pereira places a high value on building bonds and team spirit, but his approach avoids gimmicks. For context, former boss Sean Dyche had a pre-training ritual of shouting “mount” to cue players jumping onto each other’s backs in a lighthearted bid to foster unity. Under Pereira, there was no such routine—instead, the group relied on straightforward motivation, with plenty of shouts of “let’s go, let’s go” echoing across the pitch.
Media were granted access to the open session for just 15 minutes, and the presence of several Turkish journalists underscored the ongoing interest in the tie from Fenerbahce’s perspective.
Given Forest’s recent struggles in front of goal, shooting practice was almost certainly part of the program at some point. Addressing those issues will be vital not only for progressing in Europe but also for the club’s broader fight to secure Premier League survival.
Overall, the session highlighted Pereira’s early imprint: a focus on genuine unity, an upbeat and energetic environment (symbolized by the music), and no-nonsense preparation. The birthday tunnel for Igor Jesus served as the perfect microcosm—a small moment of joy and connection that encapsulates the togetherness the manager is instilling as Forest chase silverware on two fronts.
This reflects Pereira’s philosophy since taking over in mid-February 2026, following a turbulent season with multiple managerial changes. His immediate impact was evident in the first-leg rout, and signs from training suggest he’s quickly fostering the culture needed for sustained success.
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