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ISTANBUL – Vítor Pereira returns to familiar territory this week, tasked with igniting a revival at Nottingham Forest as he takes the helm of the struggling Premier League side. His first match in charge will be against one of his former clubs, Fenerbahce, in a Europa League playoff first leg, a fittingly chaotic beginning for a manager accustomed to turbulent atmospheres. The appointment marks the fourth managerial change of the season for Forest, highlighting the instability that has plagued their campaign since earning promotion back to the top flight.

Pereira, 57, previously managed Fenerbahce across two spells, most recently in 2021. He inherits a Forest team battling relegation, a stark contrast to the optimism that accompanied their return to the Premier League. The club’s journey to this point has been marked by a revolving door of managers – Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Sean Dyche all taking the reins this season – and a challenging Europa League campaign.

The Portuguese coach knows the difficulty of the challenge in Turkey, and his players have been briefed on what to expect. “It’s going to be loud, but all we can do is focus on ourselves,” said Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. “I don’t suppose you can really prepare for an atmosphere, you just have to focus on your game, the team and endeavor to focus on what you can do to help the team as much as possible.”

Pereira’s arrival comes after Forest failed to secure a win against bottom-of-the-table Wolves, a frustrating result that saw 35 shots on goal yield no goals and ultimately led to the dismissal of Sean Dyche. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, known for his ambitious vision, is hoping Pereira can deliver a much-needed turnaround.

A Familiar Return to Istanbul

For Pereira, the Kadikoy district of Istanbul holds fond memories. He previously managed Fenerbahce, reaching the Turkish Cup final in 2016, though ultimately losing to Galatasaray. His return has been met with enthusiasm from local fans, with numerous requests for selfies following his pre-match press conference. “It is a pleasure to be here, an honour,” Pereira stated. “I have very great memories of the stadium, the supporters, the people, the club.”

Despite the positive reception, Pereira acknowledges the challenge ahead. He believes instilling courage within the squad is paramount, particularly given their recent form – three wins in their last 13 matches across all competitions. He is confident he can replicate the success he had rescuing Wolves last season, bringing a renewed energy to the City Ground.

“From the first day you can start to give this energy to them, to pass this energy to them,” Pereira explained. “I believe that a team absorbs a lot of the personality of the coach or manager. We need to think about the game as an opportunity to show our qualities to prove ourselves and at the conclude of the game be proud of what we did and what we showed.”

Fenerbahce’s Formidable Challenge

Nottingham Forest faces a tough opponent in Fenerbahce, who are currently enjoying a strong season under Domenico Tedesco. The Turkish side is unbeaten in the Super Lig, sitting second in the league and aiming for their 29th league title. Their squad boasts a wealth of talent, including Ederson, Marco Asensio, Nélson Semedo, and, most recently, N’Golo Kanté, who joined the club this month after a stint in the Saudi Pro League.

Fenerbahce’s only home defeats this season came against Aston Villa in January and against rivals Besiktas in the Turkish Cup. They present a significant hurdle for Forest as they attempt to navigate the Europa League playoff and salvage their European ambitions.

Gibbs-White acknowledged the constant change at Forest, stating, “I think as players you get used to change, because some players come and go, managers come, and go. It is important for us as players to stick together in these moments. Since the recent manager has come in it has been really exciting, he’s been really clear about what he wants us to do.”

Pereira has had limited time to work with the squad, only three training sessions including one upon arrival in Istanbul. Despite this, he is confident his initial message has resonated with the players. The focus now shifts to Thursday’s match, where Forest will attempt to overcome a formidable opponent and begin their journey towards stabilizing their season under new leadership.

The outcome of this Europa League tie, and Forest’s subsequent league performances, will be crucial in determining their fate this season. All eyes will be on Pereira to see if he can instill the necessary courage and tactical discipline to steer Nottingham Forest away from relegation trouble and towards a more secure future.

What are your thoughts on Vítor Pereira’s appointment? Share your predictions for the Fenerbahce match in the comments below.