Life at the City Ground has rarely been quiet, but for new Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner, the heat is already being turned up to a boiling point. Following a sluggish start to the 2026–27 Premier League campaign that has yielded just one victory from their opening six fixtures, the Austrian coach finds himself under early, intense pressure.
However, according to veteran scout Bryan King, Glasner’s primary hurdle isn’t adjusting his tactics or integrating a new squad—it is managing the notoriously volatile owner, Evangelos Marinakis.
The Revolving Door at the City Ground
Marinakis has earned a fearsome reputation across European football for his quick trigger finger. Last season alone, Nottingham Forest churned through four different managers: Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and Vitor Pereira.
Pereira’s dismissal at the start of July shocked many observers. Despite comfortably guiding Forest away from relegation, he was abruptly shown the door to make way for Glasner, who arrived in the summer after leaving Crystal Palace upon the expiration of his contract. Glasner brought a stellar pedigree to the East Midlands, having recently captured both the FA Cup and the UEFA Conference League during his tenure at Selhurst Park.
Yet, Marinakis’ impatience is not isolated to England. The shipping magnate’s high-pressure style extends to his other club, Greek giants Olympiacos, where manager Jose Luis Mendilibar was recently sacked after just seven matches of the new season—despite having led the team to a domestic league and cup double just a year prior.
Bryan King Warns Glasner Over Marinakis’ Demands
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Tottenham scout Bryan King didn’t mince words regarding the volatile atmosphere Glasner stepped into.
“Glasner is under pressure because they’re not top of the league. Well, are Nottingham Forest ever going to be top of the league?” King questioned. “Glasner’s biggest problem is not Forest, it’s the owner. That’s going to be his biggest worry.”
King pointed out that Marinakis’ unrealistic expectations—coupled with a severe lack of managerial consistency—create an almost impossible environment for sustained success.
“There’s no consistency in the owner at all,” King added. “He honestly thinks he’s going to win the Premier League and they won’t win the Premier League as long as he’s in charge. He doesn’t give anybody a chance.”
Pointing to the massive financial compensation packages shelled out to previous axed bosses, King placed the blame squarely on the club’s leadership rather than the managers attempting to implement their visions.
Glasner’s Initial Hesitation and Ambition
Glasner himself was initially reluctant to take the job, openly admitting that he took some convincing before agreeing to succeed Pereira in July. Speaking about his early conversations with the Forest hierarchy, Glasner revealed he initially turned down their advances due to the lack of European football.
“They contacted me all the time and I always said no. I said to him [Marinakis], honestly, that I didn’t consider Nottingham Forest… You don’t have European football and I’m used to playing European football,” Glasner explained.
However, after a detailed look at the roster and an extensive dinner meeting with Marinakis, Glasner changed his mind, citing the squad’s hidden potential and the owner’s intense, matching ambition. The incoming manager stressed that his goal wasn’t just a one-off European qualification, but building a sustained powerhouse.
The Road Ahead
While Glasner has spoken publicly about his positive rapport with Marinakis, he is undoubtedly well aware of how quickly the Greek billionaire’s mindset can shift. With the fanbase demanding stability and the Premier League season gathering pace, Glasner must quickly turn performances around on the pitch to keep the axe from falling.
If history at the City Ground is any indication, the margin for error is razor-thin, and keeping the owner satisfied remains the toughest task in English football.
Do you think Oliver Glasner can survive the pressure at Nottingham Forest and build a long-term project, or will Evangelos Marinakis make another managerial change before the season ends?
