Vitor Pereira Reflects on Nottingham Forest's European Ambitions and Club Legacy Vitor Pereira, the manager of Nottingham Forest, expressed deep pride in the club’s storied history as he guided the team into their fourth European semi-final. Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Pereira recalled how he grew up idolizing the club’s status as one of Europe’s strongest teams, a legacy he now aims to honor through his leadership. The Reds’ progression to the Europa League semi-final, where they will face Aston Villa in the first leg, marks a pivotal moment for the club, which Pereira described as a defining chapter in its history. Pereira emphasized that his focus during this campaign is not on personal accolades but on the supporters, many of whom face financial challenges in attending matches. “A lot of them don’t really have the money to buy tickets, but they do it through sacrifice to come and support us,” he said. “This is more to make them happy.” While he acknowledged the honor of reaching the semi-finals, Pereira clarified that his career stage does not require titles for personal satisfaction. Instead, he views the achievement as a collective milestone for the club and its fans. The semi-final against Aston Villa holds particular significance for Pereira, as it represents a chance to etch the club’s name into its own history. He reflected on the club’s past glory, noting how his childhood memories of Forest as a dominant European force remain a source of inspiration. “When I was a kid, I remember Forest being one of the strongest teams in Europe,” he said. “It’s important to go back in time and understand how big the club is.” Pereira also drew parallels between his current role and the legendary tenure of Brian Clough, the club’s former manager who won the European Cup twice.#aston_villa #vitor_pereira #nottingham_forest #brian_clough #bbc_radio_nottingham
Nottingham Forest's Vitor Pereira keen to 'emulate' European Cup-winning Brian Clough Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira expressed his desire to follow in the footsteps of legendary boss Brian Clough by leading the club to European glory, despite his own reluctance to have a statue erected in the city center. The Portuguese coach emphasized the importance of reaching the Europa League final and securing a continental trophy for the club, which last won such an honor under Clough’s leadership in 1979 and 1980. Forest’s upcoming Europa League semifinal against Premier League rivals Aston Villa on Thursday night represents a pivotal moment for the club, which is currently battling relegation in the top flight. Pereira acknowledged the challenge of achieving European success amid domestic struggles, stating that the opportunity to etch his name into Forest’s history hinges on reaching the final and claiming victory. “If we want to put our name in the history of this club, we need to get to the final, to win the final,” he said. “This is, of course, an inspiration for us. This is a big chance to move forward.” Pereira’s comments were accompanied by a visit to the city center, where he observed the statue of Clough, a symbol of the club’s storied past. While he dismissed the idea of a personal statue, he praised Clough’s legacy, noting how the manager’s achievements remain deeply ingrained in the club’s identity. “He’s in the city center because he did something fantastic that stays in the heart of these people until now,” Pereira said. “For the new generations, for sure it’s an inspiration for us. We try to do our best to work to emulate what he did.” The tie against Villa presents a formidable challenge, as the Premier League side is also seeking to end its own trophy drought.#aston_villa #unai_emery #vitor_pereira #nottingham_forest #brian_clough
