Glasner Fears Forest Sack: 'Sixth Manager Will Come' After Brentford Loss

Glasner: 'Sixth Manager Will Come' If Forest Players Don't Follow Instructions

Oliver Glasner fears he will be Nottingham Forest's sixth manager since the start of last season unless his players heed his instructions and results improve immediately, after a 2-0 defeat at Brentford left Forest 19th in the Premier League with just one win from nine matches.

Result: Brentford 2-0 Nottingham Forest (Milenkovic own goal; Igor Thiago)
League position: Forest 19th, one point off the bottom
Forest's record: One win in nine league games; six points
Next fixture: Manchester City (home)
Manager tally: Five different Forest managers since start of last season
Glasner salary: Reportedly around £10m a year

What was said

"It's now time not to make compromises, it's now time to show a clear way and everybody has to follow. And if they don't want to follow, then I guess then the sixth manager will come in."
— Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC's Match of the Day after the defeat at Brentford

"Today is completely clear, we have to change something, a few things. I have to change a few things, and I will change a few things, 100%. We can't continue in the same way, we have to change a few things, and that's the key."
— Glasner on the need for change

"We are making too many mistakes, the defence, then we are down. We controlled the game... It's so obvious... We are slow, making the same mistakes, always different players."
— Glasner on Forest's defensive errors

"We are making too many mistakes in our defence and we are not ruthless enough, good enough, in finishing. That's the truth."
— Glasner's blunt assessment

"We start with hugging. If hugging doesn't work, we try the opposite."
— Glasner to BBC Radio 5 Live on his new approach

"The only way is to change it or these things will happen again. That's what we will do."
— Glasner to Match of the Day

Glasner's admission that he has made "too many compromises" is a clear signal that he intends to strip back his approach and demand strict adherence to his methods. The reference to a "sixth manager" is a stark acknowledgement of the managerial churn at the City Ground, where he is already the fifth boss since the start of last season.

His promise to "change a few things, 100%" suggests a shift in tactics, personnel or both. The playful "hugging" comment hints at a man-management reset, but the underlying message is serious: Forest cannot continue as they are.

The numbers

Five managers since start of last season: Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira, Oliver Glasner.
One win in Forest's first nine league games this season.
Six points compared to five at the same stage last season.
19th in the table, one point off the bottom.
0.85 xG for Forest at Brentford, almost double the hosts' 0.46.
14.33 xG for Forest this season — fourth-highest in the Premier League.
Six goals scored — the division's lowest scorers.
Second only to Manchester United for most shots per game.
Liam Delap: one goal from eight Premier League outings (seven starts) since £50m move from Chelsea.
24 shots for Delap — eighth-most in the league; 48 players have more goals.
£10m a year — Glasner's reported salary at the City Ground.
Three-year contract — Glasner is just under four months into it.

Deal details

Liam Delap joined Nottingham Forest from Chelsea for £50m in the summer. The striker has scored just once in eight Premier League appearances, seven of which were starts. No further transfer details are provided in the source.

Why Glasner's ultimatum is a calculated gamble

Oliver Glasner is not merely venting after a damaging defeat; he is drawing a line in the sand. By publicly declaring that players must follow his instructions or face the consequence of a sixth manager, he is challenging his squad to prove they are behind him. The reference to "too many compromises" suggests he has been flexible to the point of losing clarity, and now he intends to impose a rigid framework.

On the pitch, Forest's problem is glaring: they are creating chances but not converting them. The numbers tell a story of a team that dominates territory and shots but lacks a cutting edge. Liam Delap, the £50m summer arrival from Chelsea, has been the chief culprit, scoring once from 24 shots. Glasner's promise to change things may mean a different approach in the final third—perhaps more direct service or a change in personnel around the striker.

Defensively, the errors are costing them dear. The own goal by Nikola Milenkovic at Brentford was the latest in a series of individual mistakes. Glasner's comment that the same mistakes are being made by "always different players" points to a systemic issue rather than a single weak link. His challenge is to find a back line that can concentrate for 90 minutes.

With Manchester City next, the task could hardly be tougher. But Glasner's ultimatum may also be a rallying cry. If Forest can produce a disciplined, organised display against the leaders, it could buy him time. If not, the pressure will become intolerable.

Talking points

Is Glasner right to publicly challenge his players, or has he just made a rod for his own back?
Should Forest persist with Liam Delap despite his poor goalscoring form, or is it time for a change up front?
Forest's xG suggests they are underperforming rather than outclassed—is this a blip or a sign of deeper issues?
With a reported £10m-a-year salary and nearly four months into a three-year deal, how expensive would sacking Glasner be?

What happens next

Nottingham Forest host Manchester City next weekend. Glasner is expected to be in charge for that match, but anything less than a spirited performance could accelerate calls for change. The club's hierarchy has shown loyalty so far, but the managerial merry-go-round at the City Ground has been relentless. A decision on Glasner's future may hinge on the next two or three results.

Frequently asked questions

Is Oliver Glasner still Nottingham Forest manager?

Yes, Glasner is thought to be safe for the moment, according to the source, but he fears he could be sacked if results do not improve.

How many managers have Nottingham Forest had since last season?

Forest have had five different managers since the start of last season: Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, Vitor Pereira and current boss Oliver Glasner.