Nottingham Forest
the Reds.

Nottingham Forest First-Team Squad

Vítor Pereira’s Reds are captained by the creative talisman Morgan Gibbs-White, with Belgium goalkeeper Matz Sels behind a defence marshalled by Nikola Milenković and Murillo. New Zealand striker Chris Wood leads the line, supported by the pace of Dan Ndoye and Callum Hudson-Odoi, while Ibrahim Sangaré and Elliot Anderson provide steel in midfield at the City Ground.

Squad correct as of the summer 2026 window, which runs until 1 September — numbers and personnel may change. Follow every Nottingham Forest fixture and prediction at AI Pro Prediction and our Premier League predictions hub.

Nottingham Forest: A Complete Guide to the Reds

Origins and Identity

Nottingham Forest Football Club were founded in 1865 and are one of the oldest and most historic professional football clubs anywhere in the world. Based in the city of Nottingham in the East Midlands, and playing at the historic City Ground on the banks of the River Trent, Forest — known as the Reds or the Tricky Trees — are a club with an extraordinary and unique history, defined above all by one of the single most remarkable achievements in the entire story of English football.

Playing in their traditional Garibaldi red shirts, Nottingham Forest are renowned as one of only a handful of English clubs to have conquered Europe, and the only club to have won the European Cup more times than their domestic league. It is a statistical quirk that perfectly captures the extraordinary, almost fairytale nature of the club’s achievements. The club’s identity is rooted in the incredible glory of the Brian Clough era, its passionate East Midlands support and its status as a proud and historic institution that achieved feats that seem scarcely believable in the modern game.

The Miracle of Brian Clough

Nottingham Forest’s place in football history is secured by one of the most astonishing achievements the game has ever seen. Under the legendary and charismatic management of Brian Clough, alongside his assistant Peter Taylor, Forest rose from the Second Division to become champions of England in 1978 and then, incredibly, champions of Europe, winning the European Cup in 1979 and retaining it in 1980. It remains one of the greatest stories in the history of the sport. No club before or since has replicated the feat of winning the European Cup so soon after promotion from the second tier.

For a club of Forest’s size to win back-to-back European Cups, having only just been promoted to the top flight, was a miracle of management and team-building that will almost certainly never be repeated. Clough, one of the greatest and most quotable managers in the history of the game, forged a team of unheralded players into champions of Europe, and the achievement stands as a monument to his genius. The Clough era defines Nottingham Forest and is a source of immense and enduring pride. No figure in the club’s history, and few in the wider game, command such deep and lasting reverence.

Nottingham Forest Season-by-Season: Recent Record

The table below charts Nottingham Forest’s recent finishes, illustrating the club’s promotion to the Premier League under Steve Cooper, its establishment in the top flight, the remarkable seventh-placed finish and European qualification under Nuno Espírito Santo, and the turbulent 2025–26 campaign that saw the club use four managers yet reach the Europa League semi-finals.

As the data shows, Forest returned to the Premier League in 2022 after a 23-year absence and, under Nuno Espírito Santo, produced a stunning seventh-placed finish in 2024–25 to qualify for European football for the first time in three decades. The 2025–26 season was extraordinarily turbulent, with the club employing four managers and battling relegation domestically while reaching the Europa League semi-finals — where they were beaten by Aston Villa — ultimately securing survival under Vítor Pereira.

The 1979 and 1980 European Cup Triumphs

The crowning achievements of Nottingham Forest’s history were the back-to-back European Cup triumphs of 1979 and 1980. In 1979, Forest defeated Malmö in the final in Munich to be crowned champions of Europe, an astonishing feat for a club that had been in the Second Division just two years earlier. The scenes of celebration among the travelling Forest supporters in Munich remain etched in the club’s collective memory. The following year, Forest retained the trophy, defeating Hamburg in the final in Madrid to confirm their status among the elite of European football. Retaining the trophy proved the first triumph had been no fluke, but the mark of a genuinely great side.

These two European Cup triumphs, achieved in consecutive seasons, represent one of the most remarkable stories in the history of the game and place Nottingham Forest in an exclusive group of English clubs to have conquered Europe. The achievement is all the more extraordinary given the club’s size, and it remains the defining glory of Forest’s history. To this day, the club proudly displays two European Cup stars, a permanent reminder of the miracle wrought by Brian Clough and his players. Those two stars set Forest apart, a badge of honour that speaks to one of football’s most improbable success stories.

Nottingham Forest’s Major Honours

Nottingham Forest boast a trophy cabinet that few clubs in the world can match in terms of European prestige, headlined by their two European Cups. The full breakdown of the club’s major honours is charted below, reflecting the extraordinary glory of the Brian Clough era and the club’s status as one of English football’s most historic institutions.

This remarkable collection, headlined by two European Cups, a league title, two FA Cups and four League Cups, underlines Nottingham Forest’s unique place in football history. The fact that the club has won the European Cup more times than the English league title is a distinction almost unheard of in the game, a testament to the astonishing achievements of the Clough era. Follow all of Forest’s matches with our Premier League match predictions throughout the season.

The Return to the Premier League

After 23 years away from the top flight, Nottingham Forest returned to the Premier League in 2022, winning promotion via the Championship play-offs under the management of Steve Cooper. The return ended a long period in the football wilderness for a club of Forest’s stature and history, during which the Reds had spent many years in the lower divisions, far from the elite that they had once conquered. It was an emotional and joyous moment for the long-suffering Forest faithful.

The return to the Premier League marked the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for the club. After successfully establishing themselves in the top flight, Forest went on to achieve the remarkable seventh-placed finish and European qualification that confirmed their resurgence. The journey from the lower divisions back to the Premier League, and then into Europe, is a source of great pride for supporters who had endured the long years of decline and dreamed of a return to the glory days.

The Nuno Era and European Return

The appointment of Nuno Espírito Santo proved transformative for Nottingham Forest, as the Portuguese manager guided the club to a stunning seventh-placed finish in 2024–25, securing qualification for European competition for the first time in three decades. Nuno built a well-organised, effective and dangerous side that punched well above its weight, and his achievement in returning Forest to Europe was celebrated joyously by the club’s passionate supporters.

Nuno’s success in re-establishing Forest as a competitive Premier League club and delivering European football represented a significant milestone in the club’s modern resurgence. Although he departed early in the following season amid a disagreement with the owner, his legacy of returning the club to European competition is secure. The Nuno era demonstrated what Nottingham Forest could achieve with the right management and gave supporters a taste of the success they had long craved.

A Turbulent 2025–26 Season

The 2025–26 season was one of the most turbulent in Nottingham Forest’s history, as the club made Premier League history by employing four managers in a single campaign. Following the early departure of Nuno Espírito Santo, the club turned to Ange Postecoglou, whose brief tenure yielded a torrid run of results, before Sean Dyche and then Vítor Pereira took charge as Forest battled to preserve their top-flight status.

Despite the managerial upheaval and a domestic relegation battle, Forest enjoyed a memorable run to the semi-finals of the Europa League, savouring their long-awaited return to European competition. Ultimately, it was Vítor Pereira who steadied the ship and secured Premier League survival, guiding the club to a 16th-placed finish. The season was a rollercoaster, combining the joy of European nights with the anxiety of a relegation fight, and it underlined the challenges the club faced.

The Vítor Pereira Era

Vítor Pereira was appointed as Nottingham Forest’s head coach in February 2026, becoming the club’s fourth manager of a chaotic season, and tasked with securing Premier League survival. The experienced Portuguese coach, who had a prior connection with owner Evangelos Marinakis from their time together at Olympiacos, brought stability and organisation to a club in turmoil and successfully steered Forest away from relegation.

Pereira’s achievement in stabilising the club and preserving its top-flight status was a significant one, given the difficult circumstances he inherited. As he leads Forest into a new season, the challenge is to build on that foundation, to bring greater consistency and calm after the chaos of the previous campaign, and to guide the club back towards the upper reaches of the Premier League. Forest supporters will hope Pereira can provide the stability the club so badly needs.

The City Ground and the Fans

The City Ground has been Nottingham Forest’s home since 1898 and is one of the most historic grounds in English football, situated picturesquely on the banks of the River Trent. The stadium, which hosted the club’s greatest triumphs during the Clough era, is renowned for its passionate atmosphere and its special place in the affections of the Forest faithful. The City Ground on a big European night is one of the truly great and atmospheric experiences in the entire English game.

The passionate support of the Forest faithful is central to the club’s identity, and the connection between the club and its East Midlands community is profound. The loyalty shown by supporters through the long years of decline in the lower divisions was rewarded by the return to the Premier League and to European competition. There are ambitions to redevelop and expand the City Ground to increase its capacity and match the club’s renewed ambitions while preserving its historic character.

Legendary Players Through the Ages

Nottingham Forest’s history is adorned with the legendary players of the Brian Clough era, who achieved footballing immortality by conquering Europe. Icons such as the brilliant winger John Robertson, the commanding goalkeeper Peter Shilton, captain John McGovern and record signing Trevor Francis, the first million-pound player, are revered by the Forest faithful for their part in the club’s greatest triumphs and hold a special place in the club’s history.

The club’s rich history also features other notable figures from across the decades, including the talismanic striker Stuart Pearce, a beloved and fiercely committed captain known affectionately as “Psycho”, and, in the modern era, the influential Morgan Gibbs-White, whose creativity and goals have been central to Forest’s resurgence. From the European Cup-winning heroes to the stars of the present day, Nottingham Forest have been represented by players who have written the club’s remarkable history.

Rivalries

Nottingham Forest’s fiercest rivalry is the fiercely contested East Midlands derby against Derby County, one of the most passionate and heated fixtures in the whole of English football, rooted in the fierce local rivalry between the two neighbouring clubs and intensified by the Brian Clough connection, as the legendary manager led both clubs to success. Matches between Forest and Derby are among the most fiercely contested and emotionally charged of the season for both sets of supporters.

Forest also share rivalries with other Midlands clubs, including Leicester City and Nottingham neighbours Notts County, in fixtures rooted in local geography and pride. As a Premier League club with a proud European history, Forest now regularly face the biggest names in English football. The passion of the Forest support ensures that every match at the City Ground is a fiercely contested and memorable occasion, particularly the intense East Midlands derby. Derby days against their bitter rivals remain the emotional highlight of the season for many Forest supporters.

The Marinakis Ownership

Nottingham Forest are owned by the Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Olympiacos, and whose investment and ambition have been central to the club’s modern resurgence. Marinakis acquired the club in 2017 and oversaw its return to the Premier League and its qualification for European competition, backing the club financially and demonstrating a clear determination to restore Forest to prominence. His willingness to invest heavily in the squad has been a defining feature of the modern era at the City Ground.

Marinakis is known for his hands-on and, at times, impatient approach to ownership, as evidenced by the managerial changes of the turbulent 2025–26 season, but his ambition and investment have undeniably driven the club’s revival. As Forest look to build on their return to the elite, the owner’s continued backing and drive will be crucial. The Marinakis era has seen the club return from the wilderness to compete once more among the best in England and Europe.

Brian Clough: A Managerial Genius

Brian Clough is not only the greatest figure in Nottingham Forest’s history but one of the most celebrated managers in the history of English football. Alongside his loyal assistant Peter Taylor, Clough performed a footballing miracle at the City Ground, taking a Second Division club and transforming it into champions of England and, astonishingly, back-to-back champions of Europe within the space of a few remarkable years.

Clough’s genius lay in his extraordinary man-management, his tactical clarity and his ability to inspire ordinary players to achieve extraordinary things. Famously outspoken, charismatic and quotable, he remains an iconic and beloved figure, and his achievements at Forest are regarded as perhaps the greatest managerial feat the English game has ever witnessed. His legacy towers over the club, and the stand at the City Ground and a statue in Nottingham stand as tributes to his genius.

European Pedigree

Nottingham Forest’s European pedigree is, relative to the club’s size, virtually unmatched in world football. To have won the European Cup twice, in 1979 and 1980, remains an astonishing achievement, and Forest also lifted the UEFA Super Cup in 1979, defeating Barcelona to confirm their status as the pre-eminent force in European football at the time. This period represented the absolute zenith of the club’s history.

The return of European football to the City Ground under Nuno Espírito Santo, and the run to the Europa League semi-finals in 2025–26, reconnected the modern club with its glorious European heritage. For supporters who had grown up hearing tales of the Clough era’s continental conquests, the sight of Forest competing in Europe once more was deeply emotional. It was as if a proud sleeping giant had finally reawakened after decades of slumber. Building on this return, and enjoying more memorable European nights, is a key ambition for the club and its passionate supporters.

Playing Philosophy

Nottingham Forest’s modern identity under Nuno Espírito Santo was built on defensive organisation, resilience and dangerous, incisive counter-attacking football, an approach that maximised the qualities of the squad and enabled the club to punch above its weight, most notably in the remarkable seventh-placed finish of 2024–25. This pragmatic, effective style delivered European qualification and confounded expectations.

Under Vítor Pereira, the challenge is to combine that resilience and organisation with greater consistency and control, restoring stability after the chaos of the four-manager season. Forest’s supporters, mindful of the attacking glory of the Clough era, hope to see the club play with both effectiveness and ambition. Finding the right balance and the right footballing identity is central to the club’s aspirations as it seeks to build on its return to the Premier League and to Europe.

Morgan Gibbs-White: The Modern Talisman

In the modern era, no player has been more important to Nottingham Forest’s resurgence than Morgan Gibbs-White. The gifted English attacking midfielder has been the creative heartbeat of the team, his goals, assists and driving performances central to the club’s establishment in the Premier League and its qualification for Europe. His talent and influence have made him a firm favourite with the Forest faithful and the team’s talisman.

Gibbs-White’s importance to Forest cannot be overstated, and his role as captain and creative leader has been fundamental to the club’s modern success. His attacking quality, his work rate and his ability to produce moments of magic in the biggest matches have marked him out as one of the most influential players in the Premier League. As Forest look to build for the future, retaining and building around a talent like Gibbs-White is central to their ambitions.

The Trevor Francis Story

Nottingham Forest hold a unique place in football history as the club that broke the £1 million transfer barrier, when Brian Clough signed Trevor Francis in 1979. The record-breaking transfer captured headlines around the world and underlined the ambition of Forest during their golden era. Francis repaid the fee in the most memorable fashion, scoring the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmö.

The signing of the first million-pound player was emblematic of the audacity and ambition that characterised the Clough era, and Francis’s decisive contribution to the club’s first European Cup triumph secured his place in Forest folklore. The story of the first million-pound footballer scoring the goal that made Forest champions of Europe is one of the most cherished in the club’s remarkable history and a symbol of a truly golden age.

The Wilderness Years

Following the glory of the Clough era, Nottingham Forest endured a long and painful decline that saw the club fall from the summit of European football into the lower divisions of the English game. After relegation from the Premier League, Forest spent many years in the Championship and even dropped into the third tier, a scarcely believable fall for a club that had twice conquered Europe. These were difficult and frustrating years for the loyal Forest faithful.

Throughout the wilderness years, the memory of the club’s glorious past sustained supporters through the disappointments, and the loyalty of the Forest faithful never wavered. The eventual return to the Premier League in 2022 was greeted with unbridled joy, ending the long exile from the top flight and reconnecting the club with the elite. The journey through the wilderness and back makes the club’s modern resurgence all the more cherished by those who endured the difficult times.

The City Ground Redevelopment

As Nottingham Forest have re-established themselves in the Premier League, attention has turned to the future of the historic City Ground. There are ambitious plans to redevelop and expand the stadium, most notably the reconstruction of the Peter Taylor Stand, to increase capacity and modernise the facilities while preserving the ground’s unique character and its special place on the banks of the River Trent.

The redevelopment reflects the club’s ambition and its determination to compete at the highest level, providing the modern infrastructure and increased revenue required to sustain Forest’s resurgence. The City Ground, one of the oldest and most atmospheric stadiums in English football, has been the backdrop to the club’s greatest triumphs, and its modernisation, undertaken with respect for its history, is an important part of the club’s plans for a successful future.

The Forest Faithful

Nottingham Forest are blessed with a passionate and loyal fanbase whose devotion endured through both the glory years and the long decline. The Forest faithful, who fill the City Ground and create a fervent atmosphere, are renowned for their loyalty and their deep connection to the club, and their support through the difficult years in the lower divisions was remarkable and unwavering, a testament to their devotion.

The bond between Nottingham Forest and its supporters is a defining feature of the club, rooted in the shared history and the pride in the club’s unique European heritage. The return to the Premier League and to European competition reignited the passion of the Forest faithful, who dream of a return to the glory days. Their loyalty and passion remain at the very heart of what Nottingham Forest represents as one of English football’s most historic and remarkable clubs.

Looking Ahead

As Nottingham Forest look to build on their turbulent recent seasons under Vítor Pereira, the club’s ambitions are to bring stability, to consolidate their Premier League status and to push once more towards the European football that their proud history demands. With one of the most remarkable histories in the game, a passionate fanbase, an ambitious owner and a historic home at the City Ground, Forest have the foundations to compete. For a club that famously conquered Europe under Brian Clough, the dream is to recapture some of that old glory and to enjoy more memorable nights on the banks of the Trent. Every Forest supporter cherishes the belief that lightning can, one day, strike twice at the City Ground. The Reds, forever proud of their unique and glorious history, look to the future with genuine ambition and hope, dreaming of building on their return to the elite of English football. Follow all the latest Forest fixtures and predictions throughout the campaign.