Murillo Praises Pereira for Reviving Nottingham Forest’s Spirit

ISTANBUL (Azat TV) – Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has hailed new head coach Vitor Pereira for immediately instilling a “winning spirit” and confidence, following a decisive 3-0 Europa League playoff victory against Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Thursday. Murillo’s optimistic assessment comes amidst a challenging season for Forest, which has seen four different managers, and positions Pereira’s early success as a potential turning point for the club’s Premier League survival hopes.

Speaking on Friday, February 20, 2026, Murillo expressed strong belief in Pereira’s vision, describing his arrival as “the light at the end of the tunnel” for the club. The Brazilian centre-back’s comments underscore the significant shift in team morale and performance observed just days into Pereira’s tenure, which began after Sean Dyche’s departure.

Vitor Pereira’s Immediate Impact at Nottingham Forest

Vitor Pereira’s debut as Nottingham Forest’s head coach was marked by an impressive 3-0 triumph over Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie. The victory, secured at the Chobani Stadyumu in Istanbul, saw Murillo open the scoring with a terrific goal, followed by strikes from Igor Jesus and Morgan Gibbs-White. This dominant performance has provided a much-needed boost for the Reds, who are aiming for a spot in the Europa League last 16.

Murillo, who scored the crucial opening goal, emphasized the palpable change in the team’s approach under the new Portuguese manager. According to Murillo, Pereira managed to create “magic” and transform the squad’s spirit despite having only three training sessions with the team. “The main point is the gaffer,” Murillo stated, as reported by the Nottingham Post. “The gaffer passed to us this confidence and we got it. I think the winning spirit we had last season has come back.”

Navigating a Turbulent Season for Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest has endured a tumultuous campaign, with Pereira becoming their fourth head coach this season. The club previously parted ways with Nuno Espírito Santo in November, followed by Ange Postecoglou, who lasted only 39 days, and most recently, Sean Dyche, who was sacked last week after a goalless draw with Wolves, as detailed by The Athletic. This rapid succession of managerial changes has presented significant challenges for the squad.

Murillo openly acknowledged the difficulties posed by the constant leadership changes. “We know how difficult it is, because four managers, four different ideas, it’s difficult,” he told reporters. Despite the instability, the team’s primary objective remains securing Premier League survival. Forest currently sits 17th in the league table, just three points above the relegation zone, and is preparing to host Liverpool on Sunday after a run of only one league win in five matches.

Murillo’s Optimism and Team Cohesion Under Pereira

The Brazilian defender’s optimism extends beyond the immediate result, focusing on Pereira’s long-term potential to guide the club through its current difficulties. Murillo believes that Pereira, who has a contract until 2027 and successfully rescued Wolves last season, possesses the ideas necessary to overcome their “bad moment.”

“Now I think it is the light at the end of the tunnel. We can see it. I think just believing in him is important and make what he says,” Murillo affirmed to The Guardian. He highlighted Pereira’s focus on hard work, increased communication on the pitch, and his ability to unite the entire club, including players, staff, and physios, as key factors in strengthening the team. Morgan Gibbs-White echoed Murillo’s sentiments, praising Pereira for immediately fostering a clear team identity.

The immediate positive impact of Vitor Pereira, as highlighted by Murillo, suggests that a change in leadership can rapidly alter team morale and on-field performance, offering Nottingham Forest a renewed sense of purpose in a critical phase of their season.