Glasner’s debut leaves Forest seeking stability after late loss
Oliver Glasner’s first Premier League match in charge of Nottingham Forest ended in a late defeat to Leeds United, underscoring the urgent need for stability after a season that saw four different managers and a disappointing start to his tenure as the team struggled to impose its new ideas.
Stach’s free‑kick clinches late win
Midfielder Anton Stach delivered a decisive free‑kick two minutes from time, beating Matz Sels at his near post to give Leeds the winner. Daniel Farke celebrated with the away fans as the goal sealed the comeback. The image credit reads Getty ImagesImage, highlighting the moment.
Stability and signings remain elusive
Glasner, the 51‑year‑old Austrian, admitted there is “no button to press” after the loss, emphasizing that many tasks still lie ahead for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. He added that the side showed hard work and that confidence is growing despite the setback.
The starting eleven featured eight players from the previous season’s opening win over Brentford, with summer arrivals Ousmane Diomande and Xaver Schlager entering only in the final minutes, offering little sense of a new era. Igor Jesus missed a second‑half header and Nikola Milenković struck the post, illustrating the attacking intent under Glasner’s wing‑back system.
Forest’s recent history with Leeds includes a dark February Friday at Elland Road when Sean Dyche’s 114‑day reign ended after a 3‑1 defeat and subsequent player unrest. That dismissal followed a 0‑0 draw with Wolves, underscoring the club’s turbulent recent past.
Looking ahead, Forest will meet Leeds again in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, a chance to rebound quickly. Glasner confirmed the club is working on “two or three” deals, targeting quality over quantity, with Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall mentioned as a potential target.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke, now the third‑longest‑serving Premier League manager after joining in July 2023, built on a 14th‑place finish last season. His stability offers a contrast to Forest’s ongoing search for consistency and new faces.