Vitor Pereira: New Nottingham Forest manager's message hits home at Fenerbahce
BBC World
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Vitor Pereira, the new manager of Nottingham Forest, delivered a strong message to his team ahead of their crucial match against Fenerbahce in the Europa League knockout round play-off. In his first game in charge, Pereira urged his players to "express themselves" on the pitch, emphasizing the importance of confidence and enjoyment in their gameplay. This approach seemed to pay off as Forest secured a commanding 3-0 victory, marking their biggest win away in European competition. The goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus, and captain Morgan Gibbs-White highlighted the team's dominance, with Pereira acknowledging that they could have scored more had opportunities been converted.
The win was a significant milestone for Forest, who entered the match sitting fourth bottom in the Premier League and just three points above the relegation zone. However, their success in Europe has boosted morale and positioned them as strong favorites to advance further in the tournament. The second leg against Fenerbahce at the City Ground on February 26 will determine if Forest can reach the Europa League's last 16, where they would face either Midtjylland or Real Betis.
Pereira's ability to inspire his team and extract their potential was evident. He recognized the players' quality and stressed the need for organization and consistency, especially given the tight schedule ahead. This victory not only solidified Forest's position in the competition but also reignited hopes for a successful European campaign, which has been absent since 1995-96. For fans and readers interested in global football, this win underscores the growing importance of mid-tier clubs like Forest competing on the international stage. Pereira's leadership and tactical approach have set a positive tone for the team's future, both domestically and continentally.
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/19/2026