Players and staff – everyone who has left Nottingham Forest since the end of last season.
Nottingham Forest’s latest news as Steve Cooper’s Reds prepare for the 2023/24 Premier League season
Nottingham Forest’s crucial summer window is yet to begin as the club awaits their first signing.
However, much effort has been done behind the scenes. And there is still a long way to go until there is cause for concern.
The Reds understand that in order to advance in the Premier League, they must first get their house in order. This year, quality will triumph over quantity.
There will be far fewer additions than there were 12 months ago, when 22 fresh faces came through the doors in preparation for the divisional shift. However, Forest do need to strengthen in a number of areas, and significant changes to the squad will still be made, which will result in some departures.
Numbers must be reduced. The Reds had already over their 25-man roster limit, even without players who had returned – or could return – from loan periods. There must also be room for any newcomers.
As with bringing in new players, the real task of managing exits has yet to begin. However, a start was made last month with the release of those whose contracts were coming to an end.
Jesse Lingard, Jack Colback, Jordan Smith, Andre Ayew, Lyle Taylor, and Cafu were all released, while Keylor Navas, Dean Henderson, and Renan Lodi’s loans were terminated. Billy Fewster, Alex Gibson-Hammond, Ryan Hammond, Nicky Hogarth, Adnan Kanuric, and Lewis Salmon all left the academy.
There has already been one sale prior to the publishing of the retained list. Following a successful loan stay, striker Will Swan went to Mansfield Town on a permanent basis for an unknown fee.
There have also been changes off the field. Forest have yet to announce Gary Brazil’s exit as academy director after more than a decade at the club, following the expiration of his contract. Meanwhile, The Athletic stated that Lee Charnley, who was brought in as a consultant as the Reds prepared for life in the Premier League, was told his skills were no longer necessary.
Assistant academy manager Chris McGuane is alleged to have been offered a promotion to academy manager as part of the backroom reshuffle. And news of Craig Mullholland’s presence in a wide-ranging capacity is awaited, as he reunites with chief football officer Ross Wilson, with whom he previously worked at Rangers.
This week, however, has seen the revelation of a surprise arrival behind the scenes. Steven Reid has returned as a first-team coach after leaving the City Ground last summer to pursue a new challenge.
Jesse Lingard, Jack Colback, Jordan Smith, Andre Ayew, Lyle Taylor, Cafu, Keylor Navas, Dean Henderson, Renan Lodi, Billy Fewster, Alex Gibson-Hammond, Ryan Hammond, Nicky Hogarth, Adnan Kanuric, Lewis Salmon, and Will Swan are the players on the team.
