‘Celebrations at Wembley!’ - Evangelos Marinakis has received strong support for his ambitions of guiding Nottingham Forest to trophy glory, as club legend Des Walker tells GOAL that success on Trentside is achievable with the right mindset, envisioning joyous scenes at Wembley. Another new chapter is unfolding at the City Ground, with Oliver Glasner now leading the charge for the 2026-27 season following several managerial changes.

Boosted by Anderson sale: Glasner’s transfer budget strengthened

The Austrian manager arrives with an impressive pedigree, having guided Crystal Palace to historic success, lifting the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Conference League trophies during his tenure. His achievements have made him one of Europe’s most respected tacticians.

After departing Selhurst Park, Glasner—who was once linked to managerial roles at Manchester United and Chelsea—has taken the reins along the River Trent. Appointed early in the summer, the 51-year-old now enjoys a full pre-season to implement his philosophy and shape a squad inherited from Vitor Pereira.

Significant transfer activity is expected, both in terms of arrivals and departures. Elliot Anderson has already sealed a record-breaking £116 million ($155m) move to Manchester City, with Marinakis keen to reinvest those proceeds into strengthening the squad.

Forest chasing first major title since Brian Clough’s era

The charismatic Greek shipping magnate has consistently supported his managers—despite frequent changes in the dugout—and remains eager to see a tangible return on his investments. Since earning promotion to the Premier League four years ago, Forest have reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League, proving their growing competitiveness.

The next challenge is to add new honours to a trophy cabinet still dominated by the legendary ‘Miracle Men’ of Brian Clough’s era. Clough, one of football’s greatest managers, built at least two world-class squads that delivered unprecedented success.

Des Walker was part of the second wave of Clough’s success after witnessing the club’s European Cup triumphs. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Wembley became a familiar venue for Forest. However, apart from a Championship play-off victory, the club has not added significant silverware since those heady days.

Can Marinakis deliver a major trophy for Forest?

When asked whether Nottingham Forest could return to winning ways, former Reds defender Walker, speaking on behalf of talkSPORT Bet Online Slots, told GOAL: “I’d like to think so, yes.”

He added, “I think the chairman really puts his money where his mouth is, to be fair to him. He wants to win something and has a big personality—he enjoys being in the spotlight. He wants to get to Wembley and be celebrating on the pitch, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he did.”

Walker continued, “As long as that ambition is harnessed properly and we build on what’s been achieved in the last five years, I see no reason why it can’t happen.”

Recalling advice from a former teammate, Walker said, “Steve Hodge once told me back in 1987, when I was a youngster, ‘anyone can win a cup.’ He said, ‘the best team wins a league, but anyone can win a cup.’ That same year, we went on to win two!”

He explained, “That’s always stuck with me. Anyone can win a cup. Look at the World Cup—it’s still a cup competition. Of course, you need to perform, but anyone can have a great day. You just have to win the next game to move forward. We always had that mindset—keep yourself in the hat.”

“Building a team to win the league is tough, but can you win the FA Cup or the League Cup? Absolutely. Could Forest go on a European run and lift a trophy? Of course. It would be wonderful to see the fans rewarded, to see the club win again. It would be fantastic for the city and everyone connected to it.”

Nottingham Forest 2026-27 fixtures: Opening match against Leeds

After securing top-flight survival late last season, Nottingham Forest are aiming to climb higher in the Premier League table in 2026-27. With funds available, some smart signings could make a major difference.

Glasner will look to have new recruits settled in well before the season opener against Leeds United at the City Ground on August 22. From there, the Reds will aim to make deep runs in domestic cup competitions and potentially end their long wait for major silverware.