Nottingham Forest

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

3/10... possibly 4/10. It has literally been a season of four parts - four different managers and four different sets of emotions. From the excitement at the start of the season, to almost immediate disappointment, dissolution, and then hope and pride again.

Best moment and why?

Was it taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg of our Europa League semi-final? Was it beating Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield? Or was it thrashing Sunderland 5-0 when we were desperately fighting relegation? For a disappointing season, there has been a number of moments - but perhaps just being in Europe for the first time in 30 years was a season-long high.

Player of season and why?

Neco Williams was the frontrunner for a long time - throughout the good and the bad, he was unbelievably consistent. But it is impossible not to mention Elliot Anderson, whose statistics prove he is already an elite player. However, it was Morgan Gibbs-White who really shone in the final run-in. He produced possibly the best form of his life, which makes his England exclusion all the more baffling. His 18 goals and seven assists is still only half the story - his commitment, dedication and work-rate are on another level.

Unsung hero and why?

Ibrahim Sangare is perhaps the quiet revelation of this season. The record signing from almost three years ago has finally proven he is the player many of us knew he could be, even after contracting malaria as well as numerous injuries. Our midfield looked bereft without him in the games he wasn't available.

Biggest disappointment?

Appointing Ange Postecoglou. Everybody knew it was doomed - except the board. In some ways, it is better that it went even worse than imagined and he was gone before any further damage was done.

What needs to change this summer?

Our transfer policy because it didn't exactly go to plan last summer. I imagine several of those signings might be off to other clubs, but the squad needs Premier League-ready players to really strengthen.

Major hope for next season?

To actually have a relatively steady season of growth and progression. Staying well clear of the bottom three and pushing hard for top 10, or even higher, would represent a level of success after some of the turmoil we have been through.

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Manchester City are leading the race to sign Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder leaning towards a move to Etihad Stadium instead of rivals Manchester United.

There is a growing expectation Anderson will leave the City Ground this summer.

United are unwilling to overpay, or get drawn into protracted negotiations.

No deal has been struck between Forest and City and the clubs are far apart on their valuation for the 23-year-old, meaning the situation could still change.

• Read the full news article

Neco Williams believes Nottingham Forest "belong in Europe" and says everyone at the club will "do everything they can" to ensure the Reds secure a spot in either the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League next season.

Vitor Pereira's side reached the Europa League semi-finals but finished just five points above the Premier League relegation zone this season - thought was also only nine points off qualifying for the Conference League.

"Having had that taste of European football this season, that is where I believe Nottingham Forest belong," Williams told BBC Radio Nottingham. "We will do everything we can to achieve that next season.

"This season has been difficult, but there have been lots of memories made. It has been a season us boys can be proud of, but we are just looking forward to next season now.

"Our aim [as a club] is to try to get European football every season.

"I do think that is where we should be aiming at, especially with the owner we have, the ambition he has and the support he gives us as players.

"We will do everything we can to achieve it."

Hit play above to hear the full interview, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Getty Images

Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 10th

It is ridiculous that Nottingham Forest found themselves fighting relegation until late in the season, especially given they possess players of the highest quality such as Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.

This was the consequence of having four managers in one season.

In appointing Ange Postecoglou to succeed Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest went from one style to another. He was sacked after 39 days and then Sean Dyche, the supposedly pragmatic choice, lasted only 114 days.

Vitor Pereira restored calm and performances finally reflected the standard of the squad.

There is a big summer ahead, though, given the speculation around the future of Anderson.

What I said in August: "No-one can question the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis."

Check out the rest of my review here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest will fight to keep Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, with Vitor Pereira insisting they need to continue to build.

The duo will be in-demand this summer with Manchester City and Manchester United interested in England midfielder Anderson.

Gibbs-White only signed a new three-year deal last summer - after Tottenham came in for him - while Murillo penned a one-year extension to 2029 at the weekend.

But after finishing 16th in the Premier League, Pereira outlined his views about the summer.

He said: "They are top players and they deserve the top of the world.

"But I believe if we want to compete for different goals, we need to keep the best players.

"If not, if you change every season, it is difficult to be consistent and difficult to build something stronger.

"We cannot control the market, of course, but I think we are aligned; what I think and what the club thinks is to try to keep most of them and to try to control the market."

The Portuguese was unhappy with Wolves' transfer business last summer while he was at Molineux, believing the club moved too slowly and did not land his top targets.

This time, Pereira wants Forest to act quickly in the window to avoid suffering another season of struggle.

He said: "I believe we have a good squad and have good players. We need to keep most of them and just add competition here and there.

"Let's prepare ourselves to be ready from the beginning. If not, you start losing before you start the season.

"If you start without a squad, start with a lot of players missing, a lot of positions missing and important players [missing] and you start the first games without being prepared, it is a disaster.

"This league punishes you if you make mistakes."

We asked for your views as Nottingham Forest ended their season with a draw against Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Kris: This had an end-of-season feel to it, not quite going through the motions, but a few players seemed to have an eye on the World Cup. Morgan Gibbs-White made his point, but it's one that will fall on deaf ears. The focus for us now has to be a settled pre-season and minimal rebuild before another year of Premier League football.

David: If we can keep the squad together for next season, Champions League is possible!

Paul: Good, solid Premier League performance. Crazy season - fun but exhausting in Europe, largely stressful and disappointing in the league, but only nine points off Europe again after all. Need some stability. If we keep the bulk core of the team and add a couple of new players, including a striker, we'll be in the Champions League places soon enough! Up the Reds!

Clive: Our form at the end of the season is a true reflection of our strengths and abilities. No surprise, considering Vitor and Nuno are similar managers. However, we need to avoid the madness of the changes in between. Nuno embarrassed the owner with his statement, but ultimately, he was correct that Edu was the issue. Mr Marinakis has, I hope, taken to heart the difference between the Premier League and other leagues. We must keep as many players as possible, while wishing the best for those that make us a profit. Exploring the future with this team and manager has wonderful opportunities.

Andy: Well, that's it, another season over and now it's time to relax and get ready for the World Cup - and then we look to go again. If we can keep everyone together and bring in a couple of players to strengthen in certain areas - a keeper, full-back, centre-back and midfielders - we can get back in Europe. A Conference League finish will be great and a good cup run too.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Vitor Pereira has called for stability at Nottingham Forest after their season of upheaval.

The 57-year-old replaced Sean Dyche in February to become Forest's fourth head coach of the season.

Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed three games into the season, while Ange Postecoglou lasted just 39 days.

Pereira eventually guided Forest to safety with two games to spare, having also taken them to the Europa League semi-finals, but wants a calmer season at the City Ground next term.

"We need stability. In my opinion, now we have created the true spirit. We have friendship and we feel confidence in each other. They believe in the staff and we believe in the players," Pereira said.

"They feel we are here to help them. We are not here to criticise. When they are not at their best level, we are here to try to help them to be at their best level.

"With tactical work, creating the spirit to fight and to play. With time, we can be stronger next season.

"When I say it is important to have the players to work and to prepare for the first games in the league, that is what I believe."

Nottingham Forest are preparing a move for 23-year-old English midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough.(Teamtalk), external

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Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from all 10 fixtures on the final day of the Premier League season.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Tottenham 1-0 Everton

• West Ham United 3-0 Leeds United

• Crystal Palace 1-2 Arsenal

• Brighton 0-3 Manchester United

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira, speaking to Sky Sports: "It is an honour, it is a privilege to be the manager. This is a group with strong character. Today was difficult, we faced a strong team and the weather is impossible.

"In the end, one point is a pity because if we win we can get to another position in the table. In the end I think the result is fine.

"I used to say that the way we start the season is very important, we must work in the pre-season with a squad to prepare the first games. I believe that we have a lot of things to improve. We just need time together. We play a lot of games without preparing the games in the proper way, without time to work together.

"Next season we will have more time. I believe we can build something stronger.

"This season was very, very tight in terms of the battle of relegation. We did well, we competed, we went in a semi-final. It is not easy with the two competitions, struggling in one and trying to move forward in another.

"In the end, I am proud. We are proud of our work, of our supporters. I believe that next season we can go and do good things."

On Elliott Anderson's future: "I don't have the answer. If you ask me if he deserves the best clubs in the world, he deserves. He has a lot of quality, he is a talent. But he is our player and I am very happy with him.

"The market is the market, I cannot predict the market. I know we want to keep the same players, to bring two or three players to help us balance the squad. In the end, we'll see."

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, speaking to Sky Sports: "I thought the first half was really positive. We just didn't really take that into the second half. I think the heat played into it.

"It's been a really long season, a difficult season, but I'm really proud of the way the boys ended it.

"It is so important how we finished the season. With all the managerial changes we've had this season, credit to the boys, credit to the manager coming in and showing his belief to the players. We pulled through."

On not making the England squad: "It is what it is. I know myself I have done more than enough to be in the squad. I just got on the wrong side of someone's opinion. I have been on the wrong side of people's opinions throughout my career so I'm only going to bounce back."

"We had a good conversation. I respect him for calling me and telling the news. I agreed with what he had to say. I'm glad the season is behind us now, I'm going to concentrate on the summer."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest are one of just three sides that didn't lose a single Premier League game when scoring first in 2025-26 campaign, alongside Manchester United and Sunderland.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Only time will tell if Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave Morgan Gibbs-White at home for the World Cup is the right one.

The Nottingham Forest playmaker and the City Ground clearly think it was the wrong one after the best and most consistent season of the 26-year-old's career.

His goal against Bournemouth underlined his quality and the celebration was pointed while, on the terraces, the Forest fans made their feelings clear in their support for Gibbs-White and distain for Tuchel.

Gibbs-White's 15 Premier League goals this season leaves him as the second top English scorer in the top flight, only beaten by Ollie Watkins following the Aston Villa striker's double at Manchester City on the final day.

Number 10 rivals Phil Foden and Cole Palmer were also left out so there is no denying Tuchel's ruthlessness - the German has a pecking order - with Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze and Jude Bellingham given the central creative responsibility.

Eze has 12 goals - five of them coming in two north London derbies - while Rogers started every Villa game until being rested on the final day, with his influence tailing off in the second half of the season.

Gibbs-White, who has six senior caps, has every reason to feel aggrieved but it will only add fuel to the fire for next season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling after Nottingham Forest ended their season with a draw against Bournemouth.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page for a selection of your replies - reaction and analysis to follow shortly

Vitor Pereira makes two changes for Nottingham Forest's final game against Bournemouth.

Ibrahim Sangare returns in midfield to make his first start since the end of April in the 5-0 win at Sunderland.

Jair Cunha also returns to the side while Elliot Anderson makes his 50th appearance of the season for Forest.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson, I. Jesus, Wood.

Subs: Ortega; Awoniyi, Ndoye, Dominguez, Yates, McAtee, Netz, Abbott, Sillah.

Bournemouth are unchanged as they look to qualify for the Champions League ahead of Andoni Iraola's final game in charge.

The Cherries need results to go for them - Aston Villa to lose at Manchester City and Liverpool to beat Brentford - for sixth place to earn a Champions League place.

Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Hill, Sensi, Smith, Truffert, Adams, Scott, Tavernier, Kroupi, Rayan, Evanilson.

Subs: Mandas, Cook, Toth, Diakite, Brooks, Unal, Kluivert, Adli, Gannon-Doak.

It is the last day of the Premier League, every side is in action this Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Burnley v Wolves

• Crystal Palace v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Fulham v Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brentford

• Manchester City v Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth

• Sunderland v Chelsea

• Tottenham v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Everton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play West Ham v Leeds", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The chaos ends with calm at Nottingham Forest. One the final day 12 months ago, they missed out on Champions League football before this year slipped into chaos with Nuno Espirito Santo sacked in September.

Since then, with Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and now Vitor Pereira, it has been a wild ride of battling relegation and challenging in Europe.

Pereira was the man to eventually take them to safety - and the Europa League semi-finals - but there needs to be a season of calm and certainty at the City Ground next season.

Survival assured, Sunday's final day visit of Bournemouth has little riding on it for the hosts. The eyes will be on the Cherries' European ambitions, but most will take that following the past nine months.

Nuno's falling-out with global sporting director Edu was the catalyst for his departure in September and that set the ball rolling for the managerial musical chairs.

Edu is expected to leave this summer, just a year after Forest earned credit for bringing him to the club. Having lost the nous and experience of sporting director Ross Wilson to Newcastle, external, they will need to find someone who can aid Pereira.

There may be trepidation after how the Portuguese's Wolves side fell apart last season after failed transfer business, and that is something Forest will be mindful of.

But Pereira's impact on the squad and on the pitch should not be underestimated.

There has been a feeling over the past few years that Forest could do with a season of anonymity but, after promotion, relegation battles and European heroics, that is not their style.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest defender Murillo has signed a new contract with the club, which extends his stay until the summer of 2030.

The Brazilian centre-back previously agreed a new deal in January 2025 and has now opted to add a further year to his time at the City Ground.

Murillo has made over 100 appearances for Forest since he joined in August 2023.

On signing the new deal, he said: "This is my second renewal with the club and I'm feeling so happy.

"It's a dream and it's really important for me, my family and my career. It shows me how important I am for the Club and that people have confidence in me."

The 23-year-old has played 39 times in all competitions this season but will miss the final game of the league campaign against Bournemouth with a hamstring injury.

There will be no last-day drama for Nottingham Forest, who have done pretty well to stay up when you consider they have had four different managers this season.

This is Andoni Iraola's last game in charge of Bournemouth and I am expecting him to win it.

The Cherries showed how good they are against Manchester City in midweek and they will be on the front foot again here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

The team on BBC Radio Nottingham’s Shut Up And Show More Football podcast have been chatting in-depth about England boss Thomas Tuchel's decision to omit Morgan Gibbs-White from his World Cup squad.

"It is a big call. I've got to admit, I'm surprised," said Colin Fray.

"Gibbs-White has struggled to get into some of Thomas Tuchel's squads since he has been around but I just thought he's a head coach, a manager, who talks about picking players on form, not just because they are big names, and I don't think he could do any more than what he done.

"His form over the last few weeks, couple of months, three months, has been absolutely outstanding - probably the best of any English player around, certainly in an attacking sense, so I don't think he could have done any more."

Gibbs-White has scored 14 Premier League goals this season, level with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

"Given how well he has been playing - given his goal contributions, given the form or lack of and the minutes or lack of of some of the players that he's effectively vying for positions with - I thought Thomas Tuchel might find a place for him," Fray continued.

"The other thing is, that he can be versatile. He can play in the number 10 role but he can also play, as we have seen to great effect at Forest over recent weeks, off the left-hand side, so he can offer you cover in two positions within your squad.

"There are all sorts of reasons why I would certainly have thought that Tuchel would have chosen him in his squad. He hasn't, it could come back to bite him - or he could be sitting there with a World Cup trophy for the first time in 60 years by the end of July and smiling and saying: ’There you go, I told you so.'"

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth visit Nottingham Forest on Sunday knowing they are already assured of a first European adventure next season – but they need a number of results to go their way to land a place in the Champions League.

It was Forest who enjoyed their own continental quest this year, with an impressive run to the Europa League semi-finals providing a welcome distraction to their domestic woes.

Pereira pulling up Trees

Vitor Pereira took over from Sean Dyche in February and has steered the Tricky Trees to safety thanks in no small part to an eight-game unbeaten run that ended with a 3-2 defeat by Manchester United last week.

In fact, since the Portuguese head coach's arrival, Forest have been the eighth-best team in the division.

Morgan Gibbs-White was on the scoresheet again at Old Trafford, his 14th league goal of the season, but he was absent from the England World Cup squad named by Thomas Tuchel on Friday, despite boasting better numbers than some of the attacking midfielders selected.

Pereira's side enter the final day in 16th but could still climb as high as 11th with a win and several kind results elsewhere, although this is not ordinarily a fixture they fare well in.

Forest are winless in all seven of their Premier League games against Bournemouth (D3 L4) - that's both the most they've faced a side without ever winning and the most the Cherries have played a team without losing in the competition.

Iraola's last stand

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola will want to bow out on a high in what is the Spaniard's last game before departing Vitality Stadium – and what a position he leaves the club in.

The Cherries are sixth, which may be enough for a Champions League spot, but it relies on Aston Villa, who are currently fourth, finishing fifth. Regardless, they cannot drop lower than seventh, and therefore a Europa League spot, at the very least, is guaranteed.

Had it not been for a vast number of draws, the Dorset club might already have confirmed their place among Europe's elite. They've shared the points 17 times this season; one more stalemate would set an outright Premier League record for a 38-game season.

It's already the most draws by any side finishing in the top half of the table since Newcastle United in 2003-04 (17, finished fifth).

Nine of those draws have come in Bournemouth's ongoing 17-game unbeaten run in the league, a sequence that is unrivalled in the top flight this season.

Defender Marcos Senesi will also bid farewell to the Cherries faithful on Sunday after confirming he will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract.

Only left-back Adrien Truffert has played more minutes this season among his outfield team-mates, while goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic is one of just six players in the league to have played every minute of the campaign so far.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Morgan Gibbs-White not being included in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

Jon: Massively unlucky! His numbers don't lie. Aside from figures, he's been the main man at Forest, particularly in the second half of the season and has been key to their Premier League safety. His work rate is second to none, he's creative and offers versatility across four or five key positions. Not sure what else he could have done! Class player.

Stephen: When you consider the understanding that he has built with Elliot Anderson it's beggars belief that he has not been included. No other player in his position can match his figures and he can also play on the wing if needs be.

Emma: Very unlucky. Tuchel has definitely looked over key players. Gibbs-White is the top English goal scorer in the Premier League this season. He deserved a spot on the England plane.

Steve: What does he have to do? He's the highest scoring English player in the Premier League! It's disgusting.

John: Purely on form this seems to be a big mistake by Tuchel. Gibbs-White will run all day and gives his all. His goals and assists for a struggling Nottingham Forest side this season makes you wonder just how many he would have got in a more settled team. Surely it's the biggest mistake out of England's team selection for this World Cup?

Mike: Definitely unlucky and better then Jordan Henderson by a country mile.

Jenny: It is a disgrace that Gibbs-White has been overlooked just because we are not part of the fashionable 'big six'. He deserves better.