Oliver Glasner's first match in charge of Nottingham Forest ended in disappointment as Leeds United snatched a late win at the City Ground, with the Austrian coach applauding supporters after the final whistle in a gesture that felt more like an apology than a celebration.
Anton Stach's free-kick two minutes from time wrong-footed goalkeeper Matz Sels, sparking wild celebrations from Leeds boss Daniel Farke among the traveling fans, while Glasner was left to reflect on a missed opportunity in his Premier League managerial debut.
The defeat continues a turbulent period for Forest, who cycled through four different managers last season before turning to Glasner, formerly of Crystal Palace. Speaking after the match, the 51-year-old urged patience, acknowledging that rebuilding the squad's identity would take time rather than happen overnight.
"There is no button to press," Glasner said. "There are still a lot of things to do. It was pretty clear I can't come with my staff and we lay the hands on the shoulder, and all of a sudden we play like Real Madrid in the 70s. That was clear but I could see a team who worked very hard to get the win."
Forest's recent managerial history has been chaotic. Sean Dyche was dismissed after just 114 days in charge, a spell that ended following a 3-1 loss to Leeds at Elland Road in February and a goalless draw with Wolves that fueled unrest within the squad. Vitor Pereira then took over, guiding the club to safety and a Europa League semi-final appearance before being let go in June to make way for Glasner.
Despite the result, there were signs of promise for Forest. The team arguably deserved something from the match, missing several clear chances. Igor Jesus headed over a good opportunity in the second half, while Nikola Milenkovic struck the post. Glasner's tactical approach, which emphasizes using width through wing-backs, was visible in how the team set up, even in defeat.
However, the lineup lacked fresh faces, with none of Forest's summer signings starting the match. Notably, eight of the players who began this game were also part of Nuno Espirito Santo's starting XI in last season's opening win over Brentford. This continuity stood out given the scale of squad turnover in recent years — 13 new arrivals last summer followed 21 fresh faces after promotion in 2022.
New recruits Ousmane Diomande and Xaver Schlager were introduced from the bench with 17 minutes remaining, but their impact was limited, and the match lacked the feel of a genuine fresh start for the club.
Forest's situation is further complicated by the departure of Elliot Anderson, who completed a £116 million move to Manchester City in July, leaving a gap in the squad that has yet to be filled by comparable talent.
Glasner pointed to fitness concerns as a factor behind Saturday's uneven performance, noting that key players were short of peak condition. "It's now getting confidence in what we are doing," he said. "No new player played today. We could see a few players probably were not in the best physical shape. Murillo returned three weeks ago after four months out injured. Chris Wood missed two friendlies with minor issues. I could see many positives and encouraging parts, but it is a process."
With the club seeking consistency after a season of upheaval, Glasner's task now is to blend fitness, form, and new signings into a cohesive unit — a process he insists will take time rather than instant fixes.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.