Glasner on Forest job: 'Nobody wants to get divorced'
Oliver Glasner used a striking divorce analogy at his first Nottingham Forest press conference on 16 July 2026, insisting he and owner Evangelos Marinakis want long-term stability after a year of managerial upheaval. The Austrian signed a three-year deal as Forest's fifth head coach in 12 months, saying he never joins thinking about getting sacked.
Key Takeaways
- Glasner compared managerial turnover to marriage, saying nobody wants to get divorced despite a 50% divorce rate in Austria.
- He signed a three-year Nottingham Forest contract with Marinakis to build stability after four managerial unveilings since September.
- A dinner with Marinakis in Athens over seafood helped convince Glasner to take the job despite interest from clubs across Europe.
- His first Premier League match is at home to Leeds on 22 August, with a pre-season friendly at Notts County on Saturday.
- Forest are working to replace Elliot Anderson and hope new signings join next week's Portugal training camp.
Why did Glasner compare the Forest job to divorce?
Speaking at the City Ground after Tuesday's sun-soaked training session, Glasner faced questions about whether taking charge at a club with such recent instability was a risk. Forest have had four managerial unveilings since September, including Ange Postecoglou's 39-day reign and Sean Dyche's 114-day spell.
"Nobody wants to get divorced. I don't know how it's in England but in Austria it's 50% [the divorce rate]," Glasner said, according to BBC Sport. "So when you ask them at the wedding, they would say 'yeah, not us' but it happens."
He argued every club wants the same manager for a decade, but differing expectations make that unrealistic. Instead, he and Marinakis committed to a three-year contract to create "stability and consistency" as the foundation of success.
What convinced Glasner to join Nottingham Forest?
After leaving Crystal Palace in May following FA Cup and Europa Conference League success, Glasner was contacted by many clubs across Europe. He wanted to stay in the Premier League and felt there was "a new book to be written" at Forest.
The Guardian reported that talks with Marinakis over a seafood platter in Athens sealed the move. Glasner called the owner "one of the few people more ambitious than I am" and said he wants to bring back the "sweet honey" of European football after Forest reached the Europa League semi-finals last season.
Forest sacked Vítor Pereira because the chance to appoint Glasner was too good to miss. The 51-year-old met his squad on Monday and said he sees strong potential in a talented group that avoided relegation.
What happens next for Forest under Glasner?
Glasner takes his side to Notts County on Saturday for their opening pre-season friendly before a training camp in Portugal next week. His first Premier League game in charge will be at home to Leeds on 22 August.
With Elliot Anderson sold to Manchester City, Forest are pushing to add midfield reinforcements. Glasner said a replacement has been identified and hopes at least two new signings will join the Portugal trip, with midfielder Xaver Schlager close to arriving on a free from RB Leipzig.
Forest broadcast Glasner's full first press conference on Forest TV, giving supporters an extended look at a manager who spoke for more than an hour. For more on high-profile football moves, see our Celebrity Breaking News coverage.