Vitor Pereira made an immediate mark in his debut as Nottingham Forest manager, guiding the struggling English side to a 3-0 away victory over Fenerbahce in the first leg of their Europa League playoff on Thursday. Goals from defender Murillo, forward Igor Jesus, and captain Morgan Gibbs-White gave Forest a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg at the City Ground next week. The win represents a crucial boost for a team seeking stability after a turbulent season in domestic and European competitions.
Pereira, Forest’s fourth coach this season following the departure of Sean Dyche, orchestrated a clinical performance against a determined Turkish side. Murillo opened the scoring with a powerful long-range effort in the 21st minute, catching the home defence off guard. Igor Jesus then extended the lead with a precise header just before halftime, demonstrating Forest’s growing cohesion under the new manager. In the second half, Gibbs-White converted an assist from Jesus to seal the emphatic 3-0 win, earning praise for both his leadership and finishing.
The result gives Nottingham Forest a strong advantage heading into the second leg and provides early optimism for Pereira, who joined the club after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier this season. His tactical adjustments and immediate impact suggest a potential turnaround for Forest, who have struggled for consistency in both the Premier League and European competition. The team will now focus on consolidating momentum ahead of their domestic fixtures.
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Elsewhere in Europa League playoff action, PAOK suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo, with Iago Aspas and Williot Swedberg scoring for the Spanish side. Belgian team Genk secured a 3-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb, while Bologna claimed a narrow 1-0 victory in Norway against Brann, thanks to a decisive goal from Santiago Castro. These results highlight the competitive nature of the Europa League playoffs as clubs aim to secure spots in the group stage.
Forest will next return to Premier League action, hosting defending champions Liverpool. Pereira’s immediate challenge will be balancing European commitments with league performance, as Forest seek to climb out of the relegation-threatened zone. Analysts suggest that a sustained run under the new manager could significantly improve their league standing, building confidence among both players and supporters.
The Fenerbahce win also underscores the potential impact of managerial changes in European football, as new tactics and leadership can produce instant results. For Pereira, the victory is an early validation of his approach and a platform for continued success. Fans will watch closely in the coming weeks to see whether Nottingham Forest can carry this momentum into both domestic and continental competitions, establishing themselves as a resilient side under their fourth manager of the season.
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