NOTTINGHAM (Azat TV) – Nottingham Forest has confirmed the sacking of head coach Sean Dyche, marking the club’s third managerial change this chaotic season, just 114 days into his tenure. The decision, announced early Thursday, February 12, 2026, follows a goalless draw against bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers on Wednesday, leaving Forest precariously positioned three points above the Premier League relegation zone. The club is now reportedly in talks with former Wolves manager Vitor Pereira to take the helm.
Dyche’s departure comes after a challenging period for the club, which has won only three of its last 13 games across all competitions. Forest currently sits 17th in the Premier League table, intensifying the pressure on owner Evangelos Marinakis to find a solution that can steer the team away from Championship football. The rapid succession of coaches underscores a season plagued by instability at the City Ground.
A Season of Unprecedented Managerial Turnover at Forest
Sean Dyche’s dismissal makes him the third head coach to be sacked by Nottingham Forest this season, an unprecedented level of turnover for a Premier League club. He was appointed in October 2025 to replace Ange Postecoglou, who lasted only 39 days and failed to secure a single win. Postecoglou himself had taken over from Nuno Espirito Santo, who was dismissed in September, less than a month into the season, despite leading Forest to a seventh-place finish and European qualification in the 2024-25 campaign.
Dyche, a former Forest youth player, oversaw a mixed run of results during his 114 days in charge. While his team secured a 2-0 victory against Porto in the Europa League and reached the knockout phase of the competition, he managed only six wins in 18 Premier League games. His tenure also included an FA Cup third-round exit to Championship club Wrexham on penalties, and a recent 3-1 defeat to Leeds, which sources suggest was a pivotal game that led to the club considering other options.
Vitor Pereira Emerges as Leading Candidate for Nottingham Forest Job
Nottingham Forest has moved swiftly to identify Sean Dyche’s successor, with former Wolves boss Vitor Pereira emerging as the leading candidate. Sources indicate that talks are ongoing with the Portuguese coach, who has expressed a desire for a swift return to the Premier League since his own sacking by Wolves in November 2025. Pereira had a brief but successful spell with Olympiacos in 2014-15, a club also owned by Evangelos Marinakis, where he secured a Greek league and cup double, establishing a known relationship with Forest’s owner.
Pereira is also credited with saving Wolves from relegation after his appointment in December 2024, sparking a significant improvement in results that guided them to a mid-table finish. This track record of inspiring a successful fight against the drop is reportedly a key factor in Forest’s interest, as the club desperately seeks a ‘new manager bounce’ for the third time this season. Forest is not in action until February 19, giving them some time to finalize an appointment before their Europa League play-off first leg against Fenerbahce.
Dyche’s Final Comments and Growing Discontent
Following Wednesday’s goalless draw against Wolves, which proved to be his final game, Sean Dyche acknowledged the precarious nature of his position. ‘People can demand change, and then it’s always up to owners whether they change or not,’ he stated, reflecting on the modern realities of football management. The match saw a grim mood descend on the City Ground, with Dyche leaving the pitch to a chorus of boos from frustrated fans, a sentiment often noted by owner Marinakis as a trigger for managerial action.
Reports suggest that Dyche struggled to bond with some players, and his methods and tactics, which reportedly focused on physicality over style, were questioned internally. Despite this, former England striker Alan Shearer and ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy had publicly backed Dyche just hours before his dismissal, citing his Premier League experience and calm demeanor as assets for a relegation battle. However, the dwindling faith from both the board and the fanbase ultimately sealed his fate.
High Ambitions Clash with Relegation Reality for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest’s current predicament is a stark contrast to their aspirations at the start of the season. After finishing seventh in 2024-25 and qualifying for European football, the club spent approximately £180 million, with initial targets including a deep run in the Europa League. The rapid succession of managerial changes, however, has plunged the club into what some observers have called an ’embarrassment,’ with relegation now a very real possibility.
The club’s struggles highlight broader issues, including a reported rift between former head coach Nuno and global head of football Edu, as well as the owner’s direct involvement in managerial decisions. As Forest prepares for a crucial period, including their Europa League play-off, the appointment of a fourth manager this season will be under intense scrutiny, with the club hoping to finally find the stability needed to secure their Premier League status.
The recurring pattern of short-lived managerial tenures at Nottingham Forest, despite significant investment and European qualification last season, points to a fundamental instability within the club’s leadership and strategic direction. The continuous search for a ‘new manager bounce’ suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach, potentially masking deeper structural issues that individual coaching appointments alone cannot resolve.