Nottingham Forest Approach Premier League Winning Manager

Nottingham Forest Sound Out Roberto Mancini For Rescue Mission

Nottingham Forest are searching for their third manager before November, a statistic that encapsulates the current turbulence at the City Ground. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the club have approached Roberto Mancini as a leading contender to replace Ange Postecoglou, who was dismissed after failing to win any of his eight Premier League games.

Mancini’s Track Record Brings Gravitas

Forest have reportedly held conversations with the 60-year-old Italian, who famously guided Manchester City to FA Cup success in 2011 and “a maiden Premier League title 12 months later”. For a club flirting with relegation, Mancini’s CV carries undeniable weight. He also led Italy to Euro 2020 glory, even if his later stint ended with the national team “failing to reach the 2022 World Cup”.

The attraction is obvious. Forest do not just want survival, they want structure and presence. One Italian source quoted in the original report insisted, “Mancini remains hungry for a return to club football”, which suggests the feeling may be mutual.

Multiple Options But Urgency Rising

Sean Dyche has also held talks, although “nothing has been agreed”. Experience appears to be the only non-negotiable requirement. Forest already removed Nuno Espirito Santo in September after he delivered seventh place and European qualification last season. That glow has faded rapidly.

Photo IMAGO

Postecoglou’s reign unravelled in an atmosphere of hostility. Chants of “sacked in the morning” became a soundtrack, and the 3-0 home defeat to Chelsea sealed his fate.

European Distraction Or Opportunity

Forest’s next fixture is against Porto in the Europa League, where they are also winless. Sitting 18th in the league with “only one victory from their first eight fixtures”, any incoming coach will inherit both fatigue and expectation. Whether Europe is a distraction or a platform for redemption depends entirely on who walks through the door.

What Mancini Would Bring

Beyond tactics, Mancini commands respect. Former players often describe him as demanding yet motivational. One could easily imagine him laying down early ground rules, perhaps even stating, “Effort is non-negotiable. Reputation counts for nothing if application is missing.”

Forest’s squad contains quality but lacks direction. Mancini’s history of steadying chaotic environments, from City to Inter and beyond, may be exactly what ownership craves.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Speaking as a Forest fan, this rumour hits differently from the usual shortlists. Names like Sean Dyche make sense, they feel safe, but Mancini? That is fireworks. That is ambition. That is something you would try on Football Manager at 2am.

There is hesitation, of course. Will he really fancy a relegation scrap on wet Tuesdays after managing Italy and Saudi Arabia? Or would he treat this as a launchpad to remind Europe of his credentials? If he commits properly, the lift would be enormous. Imagine Porto away with Mancini in a sharp coat barking orders, suddenly we look like a club worth taking seriously.

The worry is whether we will actually follow through or if this is another headline with no substance. Two managers gone already and we are barely out of October. Stability is a word that has not been used at Forest in years.

Still, if the owners genuinely pull this off, belief returns overnight. No more temporary fixes. Someone with medals and aura telling this squad to wake up. If there was ever a moment to gamble big, it is now.