“Nottingham Forest ‘on the verge’ of agreeing deal to hire new manager as Fabrizio Romano drops major update following shock sacking and growing relegation fears”

Nottingham Forest are edging closer to appointing Vitor Pereira as their new head coach, with a deal now close to being finalised, according to GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Fabrizio Romano.

The Tricky Trees made the decision to part ways with Sean Dyche in the early hours of Thursday morning after a frustrating 0-0 draw with bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at the City Ground.

That result proved the final straw, leaving Dyche’s position increasingly untenable.

Sources at GIVEMESPORT claim Pereira, formerly of Wolves, has already reached an agreement in principle to take charge at Forest, with the task of steering the club clear of relegation for the remainder of the campaign.

Pereira deal nearing completion

Romano revealed on X on Thursday afternoon that talks are now in the “final stages,” with only minor details remaining. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has moved swiftly, making Pereira the club’s fourth managerial appointment of the season just over 12 hours after Dyche’s dismissal.

While the stalemate against Wolves extended Forest’s cushion over the relegation zone to three points, West Ham United’s improved form has heightened fears of a potential return to the Championship.

Forest will be hoping Pereira can rediscover his best form at the City Ground, despite a difficult start to the season with Wolves. The Portuguese coach was dismissed by the Midlands side on November 2 after failing to win any of his opening 10 league matches, collecting just two points in that spell.

GIVEMESPORT sources also indicate there are no complications regarding Pereira’s severance terms at Wolves, with formal contact between the clubs expected to be little more than a procedural step.

Dyche lost the dressing room

Reports following Dyche’s departure suggest the former Everton manager had lost the confidence of the Forest squad, with frustrations growing over his comments and tactical decisions.

Players were reportedly stunned by Dyche publicly criticising the team after their FA Cup elimination against Wrexham last month. Concerns were also raised over the intensity of training sessions, particularly the volume of running demanded in the lead-up to matches.

Dyche is also believed to have dismissed the value of three players at his disposal, including January signing Luca Netz, who arrived from Borussia Mönchengladbach with significant Bundesliga experience. The other two were Dilane Bakwa and Jair Cunha, both of whom joined the club last summer for a combined fee exceeding £40 million.

The 54-year-old was said to be unhappy with Forest’s January recruitment strategy, having pushed for proven Premier League names such as Dwight McNeil, Nick Pope and Lewis Dunk. Instead, he was handed Netz and striker Lorenzo Lucca — additions that failed to align with his vision.