Nottingham Forest

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Nottingham Forest wrapped up their 12-day training camp in Portugal with their first defeat of pre-season against Primeira Liga side Sporting.

The Reds fell to a 4-1 loss in their second pre-season fixture of the day, having claimed a 2-1 victory over Portimonense, as they got more minutes in the tank ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Oliver Glasner's side, who were looking to go five games unbeaten in pre-season, took the lead just two minutes in through in-form Igor Jesus, who has now scored in four consecutive appearances.

However, Goncalo Inacio quickly levelled things up with a pinpoint header before Issa Doumbia's 61st-minute strike doubled Sporting's lead.

Then centre-forward Rafael Nel sealed victory for Sporting with a second half brace, firstly looping a header beyond Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels and then grabbing another goal six minutes before full-time.

Nottingham Forest will now return to Nigel Doughty Academy before heading to northern Italy next weekend to take on Udinese and Barcelona.

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"I'm hungrier than ever to get us back into Europe," says Nottingham Forest left-back Neco Williams, who played a pivotal role in the Reds' journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season.

The 25-year-old featured 15 times on the European stage, only being left on the bench for the club's group-stage fixture against Utrecht.

"I'm at a stage in my career now where I want to play in the biggest games," Williams told BBC East Midlands' Charlie Slater. "I want to be playing in Europe and winning stuff. I have to use that as motivation to go and do it.

"Having the taste of them European games with this club makes me hungrier than ever to do it again and get us back into Europe."

On the pre-season training camp in Portugal, Williams added: "This is what pre-season is all about. It is about getting fit and taking away as many new ideas as possible and trying them in training.

"He [Oliver Glasner] has been working us very hard, there has been a lot of running. It has been tough but enjoyable, that's all you can ask for in pre-season. Each day is a new learning day.

"The mentality is around not moaning and just getting on with it. For example; if someone loses the ball or the pitch is too dry, there should be no moaning. That's exactly what we have been doing.

"It has been a bit of a different pre-season for us because we are used to doing double sessions, but he [Glasner] likes to do all his work in the morning.

"So we have been doing a really big and tough session in the morning, with all our gym work that needs to be done, that way it is all boxed off early because he is really big on recovery."

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Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina says he has "dusted off the cobwebs" for wing-back favouring head coach Oliver Glasner and believes that the club can "dream big" again this season.

The 29-year-old right-back is looking forward to "cracking on" with the season after a hamstring tear, sustained in September 2025, hampered his playing time in 2025-26.

"It has been hard work but it has been good," Aina told BBC East Midlands' Charlie Slater when asked about life under Glasner. "Everyone is buying into his ideas and his philosophy. It is really exciting for all of us boys.

"He is a winner. He has shown what he can do over the past few seasons with Crystal Palace, with the right backing and with time, so hopefully he can do that here as well.

"We have to dream big - why can't we? We have everything that a team needs to be successful, so it is down to us to hit the ground running, put the hard work in, stay together and be locked in.

"Why not push for a Champions League finish? It is good to dream."

On Glasner's playing style heavily relying on wing-backs, the full-back replied: "I used to play as a wing-back in Italy, so it has been a few years!

"I told him to give me a few weeks to just dust off the cobwebs and get the engines going again.

"As a full-back, you can pick and choose the right times to go. As a wing-back, you have to go every time because you need to be that support in attack but also get back to help your centre-backs at times. It is a balance.

"I'm wishing for more goals in my game. I hope I get some little tap-ins here and there this season. I don't mind how many - a goal is a goal. I haven't got a celebration picked out just yet, but I'm sure I can think of one."

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Nottingham Forest came out 2-1 winners against Portimonense SAD in Portugal during a behind-closed-doors friendly as their promising start to pre-season continued.

Just before half-time, Taiwo Awoniyi, who was wearing the captain's armband, gave the Reds the lead from the penalty spot.

Joao Reis levelled early in the second half for the second division Portuguese side.

New signing Xaver Schlager restored Forest's advantage with a superb strike from outside the area as Oliver Glasner's team emerged victorious.

Forest will play another match later on Friday (19:00 BST) when they face Sporting CP at Estadio Algarve.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to BBC East Midlands' Charlie Slater as the Reds wrap up their 12-day training camp in Portugal.

Here are the key lines from their chat:

• Their pre-season camp has been "very positive", with most of the players expected to get 90-minute runouts against either Portimonense or Sporting on Friday.

• Glasner added: "We have trained really hard, the players have shown great work ethic and everybody has enjoyed the sunny weather. I wanted us to work really hard on the pitch but also to enjoy the time together."

• When asked what he enjoys most about training sessions, Glasner replied: "I like being on the pitch with the players, showing them solutions, supporting them and explaining the way we want to play. I know many other things are part of being a manager, but for me this is the best one."

• He has been working "between 12 and 16-hour days" to ensure he makes a "good start" at the City Ground. Right now, his focus is on "finding the right set-up" for his players and his coaching staff.

• On being coined a winning manager after his spells at Eintracht Frankfurt and Crystal Palace: "I don't know anybody who prefers losing to winning, but there is a difference between a wish and a goal. Many wish to win and hope it gets fulfilled, but you have to work for it and deserve to win. At the end of a season, you will always get what you deserve. I don't believe in coincidences or luck."

• He revealed: "I've already had an instance where I had to tell the players there was too much moaning and complaining in training sessions. I told them that winners don't moan or complain - they accept the challenge and make the best out of it. If you always feel like a victim, such as saying it's too hot or the pitch is too dry, then you aren't a winner. If you focus on what you have to do on the pitch and accept the circumstances, then you have the best opportunity to be a winner."

• Nottingham Forest don't want to be known as a "one-hit wonder" and cannot afford another "turbulent season", so "getting consistency and building the foundations of success" will be key this season.

• He added: "As a club, we want to establish ourselves in the top half of the Premier League, not just once but consistently. This is the goal of the owner, the players, the entire staff and, I'm sure, the fans."

• The club will only make signings that "make sense and strengthen the squad" this summer, especially considering the "crazy transfer market".

• However, he refused to comment on Nottingham Forest reportedly being close to completing a deal for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.

• On whether he feels the need for attacking reinforcements: "Let's see. Dan Ndoye is taking a well-deserved break after the World Cup. Callum Hudson-Odoi is reintegrating after injury. Igor Jesus has scored in every single game so far and Taiwo Awoniyi has already scored as well. Chris Wood has only just got back from his break."

• Lastly, he confirmed that every player will be given a chance to "show that they can help us achieve our goals" before any transfer decisions are made.

Nottingham Forest, Everton and Leeds United are monitoring 23-year-old forward Liam Delap, who Chelsea value at up to £40m. (The i), external

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Charlie Slater
BBC East Midlands reporter

Passion is a good word to describe Oliver Glasner's approach to coaching his new Nottingham Forest side.

His distinctive Austrian accent fills the warm Portuguese air at the club's temporary training ground and his energy appears boundless as they approach the end of a two-week stay on the Algarve.

On the pitch, the players appear keen to match the tempo of their new boss - high press, high energy, high speed. While away from football, a padel racquet is the weapon of choice for winding down in the land of a thousand golf courses.

Glasner's existing squad is almost in place - only Switzerland international Dan Ndoye is still to return - and there is hope and expectation that his ranks could be bolstered by approximately four new signings.

Passion is Glasner's approach and optimism is its outcome.

Nottingham Forest have had a 20m euro offer for 21-year-old Israel international Anan Khalaili, who can play as a right-sided wing-back or winger, rejected by Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Nottingham Forest are in line to sign Portuguese midfielder Gustavo Sa from Famalicao, with the 21-year-old then expected to move to Greek side Olympiakos on loan. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.

Chief refereeing officers from all 55 European national football associations met last week with Uefa refereeing officials and a representative from the International Football Association Board (Ifab) to address recent changes to the game's laws.

Attendees said "lengthy, microscoping reviews" indicate VAR has gone beyond its original scope.

When VAR was added to the laws of the game in 2018 by football's rulemakers Ifab, its "philosophy" was "minimum interference - maximum benefit", with the intention of reducing "unfairness caused by clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents" relating to goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.

Uefa said that at its recent meeting that refereeing bosses agreed a return to those original aims is needed.

"It was reiterated that, in accordance with protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, ie. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident," Uefa said in a statement.

"VAR is not meant to re-referee the game, it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making.

"Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited."

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We asked for your views on whether Nottingham Forest need to dip into the transfer market for a new striker this summer, with Igor Jesus, Taiwo Awoniyi and Arnaud Kalimuendo already finding the target in pre-season.

Here are some of your comments:

Josh: I think we could do with more firepower in the squad, as I don't think the quality is currently there, but I don't want to see any of the current strikers leave. Igor on paper is the best we've currently got, Kalimuendo deserves a chance after being outcast last season, and I would be sad to see Taiwo or Wood leave. But if the right player is available at the right price, we should go for it.

Peter: We have enough firepower with the strikers we have. Why pay an inflated price for a fifth striker? A right-sided wing-back, a centre-back (Ousmane Diomande) and a goalkeeper to back up Matz Sels - and we are good to go. Any of Sangare, Dominguez and Schlager can be our two in midfield.

Chris: Yes we do, but not Liam Delap. There is no rush yet though.

Robert: The focus needs to be on replacing Bakwa, Ndoye, Hudson-Odoi and McAtee, who all failed to create anything last season. I back all of the Forest strikers to score, if we get a decent creative midfielder.

David: I don't think a striker is top of our wanted list. We already have a fit Wood, Jesus and Awoniyi. Plus giving Kalimuendo a chance to show what he can do is better than rumours of us buying Beto. We need to get the deals done for a midfielder, a wing-back and a centre-back, plus we still need another goalkeeper. Tie Neco Williams down with a five-year contract as well and we should be in the top seven.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare has signed a new three-year deal.

The Ivory Coast international, who played for his country at the summer's World Cup, is now tied to the City Ground until 2029.

Sangare, 28, joined from PSV for £30m in 2023 and played 43 times in all competitions for Forest last season.

"I'm delighted to sign the new contract," he said.

"It's a good moment too for me to thank the fans. Last season wasn't always easy, but they were always with us and I have always felt their support.

"It's been three years here and it has become a family for me in that time. I feel good, I have learned a lot, and worked hard to get to this point. I'm really looking forward to working with the new coach and for the season to start."

Sangare, who started his career at Toulouse, has made 77 appearances, scoring twice, and helped Forest beat relegation last season and reach the semi finals of the Europa League.

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Nottingham Forest have marked a clean slate under new head coach Oliver Glasner by going on a three-game unbeaten run at the start of their pre-season fixture schedule.

The Reds kicked things off with a 2-0 win over neighbours Notts County, followed by a convincing 3-0 victory against Championship side Blackburn, and they shared a 1-1 draw with Vitoria de Guimaraes in a behind closed doors friendly.

Having failed to score in 14 Premier League games last season, compared to just eight games in 2024-25, the scorelines are a small sign of goalscoring promise ahead of next season.

Chris Wood was a notable miss last season after picking up a knee injury which kept him out of action for six months, having scored 20 goals in 36 Premier League games in 2024-25 - 13 more goals than any other Forest player.

But it is fellow senior strikers Igor Jesus, Taiwo Awoniyi and Arnaud Kalimuendo who have stepped up to the plate so far in pre-season.

The trio have shared out the goals so far, with Jesus scoring in all three games, Kalimuendo finding the back of the net twice and Awoniyi bagging against Blackburn.

Wood is the only senior striker to not appear on the scoresheets as yet, although he joined pre-season slightly later after representing New Zealand at the World Cup.

So, taking all of the above into account, do Nottingham Forest need to dip into the transfer market for a new striker this summer or are the current crop showing what they can offer? If you think business is needed, who would be top of your priority list?

Get in touch with your views here

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English football is set to implement a trial to try to eradicate the goalkeeper tactical timeout this season, BBC Sport can reveal.

The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League have agreed on the measure, pending permission from the International Football Association Board (Ifab).

Earlier this year, Ifab decided against changing the law and invited leagues to volunteer for trials.

Pro Ref, led by chief refereeing officer Howard Webb, has been in discussions with the leagues to determine how to tackle the issue. It settled on a team having to remove an outfield player from the field.

If a referee signals that the physio can come on to treat a goalkeeper, the coach will have 10 seconds to nominate another player to leave the pitch for one minute, telling the fourth official of their choice.

If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave the field.

Read more on the trial

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Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates believes new head coach Oliver Glasner can bring "really exciting times" to the City Ground, and says new signing Xaver Schlager is "going to fit in" with the rest of the first-team squad.

Yates, 28, is a product of the club's academy set-up and has amassed 277 senior appearances for the Reds.

"We have a really friendly and welcoming dressing room," Yates told the club's YouTube channel, external. "I was sat with him [Xaver Schlager] on the bus a couple of days ago on the way to one of his first training sessions.

"I was picking his brains about the manager and what he had done previously himself. He is really positive, he is going to fit in and he will be a big part of what we do."

On working under Glasner, Yates added: "It has been super positive for me. He has brought in some new ideas that I haven't come across yet in my career.

"These are really exciting times. I'm looking forward to improving a lot, not just individually but also collectively as a team. We've got off to a really good start, so let's keep progressing."

Nottingham Forest are yet to lose a game in pre-season, having claimed a 2-0 victory over Notts County, a 3-0 win over Blackburn and a draw with Vitoria de Guimaraes.

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Nottingham Forest continued their pre-season preparations in Portugal with a 1-1 draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes in a behind closed doors friendly.

Igor Jesus made it three goals in three pre-season games by reacting quickest to Ola Aina's effort inside the penalty area just 27 minutes in, before Miguel Nogueira scored a second-half penalty for the Primeira Liga side.

The 25-year-old striker, who scored 16 goals last season, continued his fine form under new boss Oliver Glasner as both sides battled in the Algarve heat.

The Reds are in the middle of a 12-day training camp in Portugal which will conclude on Friday with a behind-closed-doors fixture against Portimonense (11:00 BST) and an encounter with Sporting in front of supporters (19:45 BST).

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Xaver Schlager is not part of a Nottingham Forest rebuild - the Reds certainly do not need that - but it is immediately apparent Oliver Glasner is making his mark on the squad.

Schlager played for Glasner at Wolfsburg and the Austrian taking charge at the City Ground and his influence have clearly helped in the move for the midfielder.

Forest always wanted two midfielders to help replace Elliot Anderson and Schlager offers good experience with no transfer fee.

With over half a century of caps for Austria, Schlager will deliver know-how and help solidify Forest's midfield after Anderson's exit. Anderson's influence at Forest was key and it would be unfair to expect the same impact from the 28-year-old, at least straight away.

Glasner was confident Forest would have signings join them on camp in Portugal this week and Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall remains the top midfield target.

Forest are still chasing the Sweden international and he would be viewed as the main replacement for Anderson, should he eventually move to the City Ground.

It is about quality this summer and Forest have already set their stall out by moving for Glasner to replace Vitor Pereira earlier this month.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Austria international Xaver Schlager has become Oliver Glasner's first signing at Nottingham Forest.

The midfielder moves to the City Ground on a free transfer and has signed a two-year deal after leaving RB Leipzig.

He has spent the past four seasons at Leipzig, where he was vice captain, and has previously played for Red Bull Salzburg, Wolfsburg - where he worked with Glasner - and Austrian side Liefering.

Schlager said: "It is a huge honour to join Nottingham Forest. It is a very traditional club with a big history, winning two European Cups under Brian Clough.

"I wanted a new challenge and to join a club with good players, and I am happy to be reunited with Oliver, who I know from my time at Wolfsburg.

"The club has big ambitions and so do I. I want to be back in European competitions and we have a good chance. It is the best feeling to play internationally during the week, and I want to achieve that."

Schlager started all four games for Austria at the World Cup and has 55 caps for his country. He won the Austrian Bundesliga with Salzburg four times.

Chief football officer George Syrianos added: "He's a leader, with years of experience playing at the highest level in Europe, and there is a strong feeling he has all the attributes to make an immediate impact on the team."

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Nottingham Forest won their second successive pre-season fixture as they eased to a 3-0 victory over Championship side Blackburn Rovers in Portugal.

Igor Jesus put Forest ahead before the half-time interval, firing into the roof of the net.

Arnaud Kalimuendo took just three minutes to increase Forest's lead after the break and Taiwo Awoniyi made sure of the victory, slotting into the bottom corner.

Oliver Glasner's side will complete more fixtures as part of the pre-season training camp in the Algarve. They are due to play a behind-closed-doors game against Vitoria S.C. before the Reds take on Portuguese giants Sporting CP on Friday 31 July.

After the match, Glasner spoke to Forest TV, external and said: "It was a very good test again. Credit to the players for their work rate, and we scored some nice goals. It's just pre-season, but winning 3-0 against a Championship side is always positive.

"We could see plenty of positive aspects in the game and also what we will work on in the next couple of days and weeks.

"Every win and clean sheet helps us in getting more and more confidence.

"We have plenty of attacking players on the pitch and we want them to arrive in dangerous areas. We created many chances and scored three nice goals, we're encouraging our strikers to show up in these areas and today it worked."

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Elliot Anderson has posted an emotional goodbye to Nottingham Forest as he prepares to join Manchester City.

Earlier in July, City confirmed an agreement has been reached to sign Anderson, stating the "formalities of the move will be finalised upon his return to England" after the World Cup. BBC Sport reported a deal had been put in place on 25 June.

The 23-year-old made 92 appearances across two seasons at Forest after joining from boyhood club Newcastle in 2024, helping them qualify for Europe in 2024-25 and reach the Europa League semi-finals the following year.

The goodbye message posted by Anderson on social media read: "Forest family,

"Firstly I am so grateful for the love and support you have shown me over the last 2 years especially towards the end of this season. From the minute I walked through the door I fell in love with this club.

"I want to thank Mr Marinakas, the staff and all players for welcoming me and making my time here so enjoyable, this club gave me the opportunity to grow as a player and a person.

"Bringing the club European football again after 29 years is what all of you fans deserved and to be a helping hand in that is so special.

"Nottingham forest will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for all the unforgettable memories."

Now the dust has settled on the 2026 World Cup, you can officially review your Predictor results for the tournament.

If you played more than four rounds, BBC Sport has done a deep dive into your predictions, tournament performance and compared you to other players.

Don't worry, though, Predictor isn't stopping at international tournaments! Pre-season has kicked off and there are plenty of friendlies and European qualifiers to keep us occupied before the new season gets under way.

So how do you fancy your chances of correctly predicting the scores for our six selected matches every week?

BBC Sport has launched a new weekly Predictor game to cover the 2026-27 season, allowing users to pick what they think will be the result from six fixtures from across the leagues.

There will usually be a Friday deadline and the game will also feature streaks, so make sure to build it into your weekly football habits.

Lock in your first round of predictions before Friday, 24 July here

If you're wondering how to play, here are a few easy steps:

• Click on the link above to take you to the selections page.

• For every match, you either choose a winning team or select a draw - once your prediction has been submitted you won't be able to change it, so be sure to pick carefully.

• Then wait for the results to roll in to see how you have done.

• Share your results with your friends and family.

• Every consecutive round you play adds one to your streak, but if you miss a round then your streak will reset to zero.

Nottingham Forest are in advanced talks to sign Sporting CP and Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande, 22. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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