Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner was left furious at a press conference after his team lost 2-0 to Brentford, leaving them second from bottom in the Premier League with just six points from nine matches.
Glasner promised a major overhaul following the defeat.
We have to admit that this is not enough. If we lose four out of the last five matches, that's simply not good enough. And that’s why for me, it is time to change the course of things, to change the situation, and that is what I will do.
When asked by journalists what changes he planned to make, he responded.
Everywhere, and I feel that I might have compromised on some things from day one. Right now, I feel that I may have compromised too much, but compromises exist everywhere. It’s a clear path. I will tell the players what we want to do, what we have to do, and if the players agree, I think we can change everything, but if not, a sixth manager will come in.
The Austrian took full responsibility for the poor start to the season.
I always take responsibility for the decisions I made. I made all the decisions. You can only blame one person, and that’s me. That’s why I say that I cannot and will not continue in the same manner as Oliver Glasner. I will change the situation. It’s that obvious to me because otherwise, it will be the same again. You asked about a fifth manager, and I think you’ll be asking the same question again. I think the performances are better than they were under the others, but the essence remains the same. And if nothing changes, you will be asking for a sixth to come in.
Glasner added that he is not afraid of a potential dismissal. Amid rumours of his appointment at another club, he emphasised his commitment to the current project.
For me, there are no consequences. I will go home and have breakfast with my family. This is not the worst situation. Nobody needs to feel sorry for Oliver Glasner or the coach. If I wanted, I could start working somewhere else in two weeks. But I won't. But, you know, the players, the staff, they remain in the same situation. And it’s the same lousy situation the club was in last year. So you need to change everything and rebuild from the ground up. And it’s obvious to me. And that’s what I will do. No compromises. Zero. Zero. And if those things do not work, they will let me know.
I came to Nottingham not because I was bored at home. No, I came to Nottingham to be successful. I came to Nottingham to realise the vision of the owner, the fans, and the club. And for that, we need more significant changes than I might have thought, to be honest. But again, when you’re at a club, you see what is happening. And I desperately want to achieve this turnaround.
But again, Oliver Glasner cannot do everything alone. And I have often said this, not only after defeats. I always say the same after wins. It’s not just me, no, we can all do this together. But I know where we need to go. And that’s how it is; we need to be ruthless. Either you agree, or you go. That is the only way. No compromises. Either you agree with where we want to go as a club. Because, and I have mentioned this before, if you struggle three times, four or five seasons in the Premier League, having difficulties being at the bottom of the table, then there is a pattern. And I just know Oliver Glasner is not here for five years.
The manager admitted that he had previously been too lenient with the players.
We have the players, but we need to get more from them. And I see that as my responsibility. And again, I felt I hugged the players more after defeats. But if hugs do not work, there is a different way. And again, I don't need to be liked. I'm not here to be liked. I'm here to bring success to this club. And that's how I see it. That is what I will change.
When asked if everything could be fixed overnight, the coach responded negatively.
No. It will take a long time. But in this league and with your position, people will want to see immediate changes. Again, I think the club wanted to see immediate changes. That’s why they always change managers. But nothing changes. Again, I’m an employee. If the management think I’m not right, they will let me know. But I think nothing will change. That’s how I see it right now. I think I was not strict enough in pursuing some changes.
At the end, Glasner slammed his fist on the table and recounted how he forbade one player from returning home separately from the team.
I was asked if a player could go home alone. I said no. I don't understand why anyone would want to go home alone today, from London to Nottingham. No, you go by bus like everyone else. No exceptions. No exceptions. Agree. Agree every single day, every single moment, every single training session. To everything we do. If you agree, you can be part of the team. If not, then you can go. Otherwise, I am in the wrong place.
