It has been little over two weeks since Nottingham Forest ended an exhilarating campaign, but since then, things have not been quiet at the City Ground.
On May 19, players, club officials, and head coach Nuno Espirito Santo gathered in front of Turf Moor’s away end to celebrate the achievement of safety. Although it had not been easy to get over the finish line, a victory over Burnley on the penultimate day assured a Premier League season for a third time in history.
Nuno promised to celebrate his accomplishment with a few beers and a day off. Actually, Trentside, there won’t have been much time for relaxation. Before long, the focus would have shifted to 2024 and 25.
Next term, Forest will want to keep going. This time, that was meant to be the objective, but instead the Reds found themselves fighting for position at the bottom of the table once more.
A fantastic summer is in store. Here, we examine the events that have transpired subsequent to the last whistle blowing on that bright Lancashire day.
Exits confirmed
Following the 2-1 victory over the Clarets, Forest made an announcement a few days later about the departure of several players. Felipe, the center back, had previously declared his intention to hang up his boots, and it was also revealed that Wayne Hennessey, the goalkeeper, and Cheikhou Kouyate, the midfielder, would be leaving at the end of their contracts.
Additionally, it was reported that Gio Reyna, Divock Origi, Nuno Tavares, Gonzalo Montiel, and Rodrigo Ribeiro’s loan periods were ending. With the exception of Reyna, all of their agreements allow the Reds to permanently alter course, but they chose not to.
A few weeks later, Forest announced that Loic Mbe Soh, Scott McKenna, and Harry Arter would all be leaving as free agents this summer. Theo Robinson, Tony Gbopo, Ethan Hull, Ateef Konate, Henry Lister, Elijah Morgan, and Kevin Adueni, among other academy players, have also been released.
Nuno stated in January that he preferred to collaborate in small groups. The club started to shape the Portuguese team this summer with the announcement of its retained list, having made progress in reducing numbers during the winter window.
Putting pen to paper
Two players have been retained on after their contracts expire at the end of this month. Ola Aina and Willy Boly, the defense, will not be moving.
Boly and Aina’s disappearance was confirmed on the same day as Felipe, Kouyate, and Hennessey announced their departures. Both of them had been instrumental in preventing relegation.
Boly and the club reached an agreement for a one-year contract that will keep him at the City Ground until the summer of 2025, with a two-year option remaining. Aina’s contract had a one-year extension option that Forest activated.
Transfer talk
The summer transfer window officially opens on June 14. But since the end of the season, the rumour mill has been in full swing.
Incomings and outgoings are on the horizon in the coming weeks. A significant sale will need to be overseen before the end of this month, with the next Profitability and Sustainability Rules assessment period covering the three years up to June 30.
With that in mind, unsurprisingly, there has been plenty of speculation about prized assets Morgan Gibbs-White and Murillo. The former has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, among others. The list of clubs tracking Murillo includes Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Spurs have also been linked with winger Callum Hudson-Odoi and West Ham United with striker Taiwo Awoniyi, while Sheffield United are keen on Joe Worrall. As for potential targets, names to have done the rounds include midfielders Florentino Luis and Mandela Keita, left-back Bradley Locko, defender Logan Costa and goalkeeper Bento.
Manager speculation
The summer gossip hasn’t just been confined to who could leave and who could arrive Trentside. Head coach Nuno’s future has also been in the spotlight.
The 50-year-old dropped a cryptic comment in his final pre-match press conference of the season. Asked whether he hoped to be part of Evangelos Marinakis’ grand vision for the club, he simply said: “I’m here now.”
Following the clash at Burnley, the rumours then started. Nuno was linked with Bayern Munich before Vincent Kompany’s appointment and was said to have clubs in Portugal and Spain monitoring his situation.
Meanwhile, Forest were said to be looking at ex-Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi and Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Italiano. However, the rumours have since died down.
FA charge
Last week, the club were charged by the Football Association for failing to control their fans during the loss to Liverpool in March. The Reds and coach Steven Reid have already been punished by the FA after the 1-0 defeat sparked angry scenes at the final whistle, and Forest have now been sanctioned again.
An FA statement read: “Nottingham Forest FC has been charged with misconduct in relation to crowd control at the Premier League match against Liverpool FC on Saturday 2 March. It’s alleged that Nottingham Forest FC failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters (and anyone purporting to be supporters or followers) conducted themselves in an orderly fashion; didn’t behave in an improper, threatening or provocative way; and/or didn’t commit any form of pitch incursion. Nottingham Forest FC has until Friday 7 June to respond.”
On the day, Forest were left furious they did not get the ball back, despite having possession when play was stopped for a potential head injury to Ibrahima Konate in the 97th minute of the match. Referee Paul Tierney opted for a drop-ball at the feet of Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and the visitors went on to win a corner, from which Darwin Nunez scored the winning goal.
Chaotic scenes ensued after the final whistle. Reid was sent off, unused substitute Felipe was booked and owner Evangelos Marinakis was pitchside.
City Ground latest
The saga surrounding the future of the Reds’ home continues to drag on. There has been a standoff between the club and Nottingham City Council – who own the land where the stadium is situated – as talks over rent and a new lease have stalled.
As a result, chairman Tom Cartledge last month admitted alternative sites were being considered. He cited Toton as a potential option, at a location once slated for the now-scrapped HS2 project and on land owned by Nottinghamshire County Council.
However, a statement released by the City Council in early June said talks with Forest were continuing. It read: “Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Forest continue to work together regarding the future of the City Ground.
“Constructive discussions are taking place on a confidential basis. Both the Council and Nottingham Forest will make a statement when these are complete, and we will not be making any further comment until then.”
