Nottingham Forest 2025-26 Full Squad, Caption, Coach, Kit, History and Stadium

Nottingham Forest, a club steeped in rich history, enters the 2025-26 season with renewed ambition and a talented roster. Known for its passionate fanbase and iconic achievements, the team is poised to make waves in the Premier League and beyond. This article explores the Nottingham Forest 2025-26 full squad, captain, coach, kit, history, and stadium updates, offering a detailed look at what makes this club a footballing powerhouse. With a focus on current developments and a nod to its storied past, we dive into the heart of Forest’s journey.

Nottingham Forest Profile summary

Team	Nottingham Forest Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Reds, Forest, Tricky Trees
Home Stadium	City Ground
Stadium Capacity	30,446
Location	West Bridgford
Founded	1865
Website	https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/
League	Premier League 2024–25
Manager	Steve Cooper

Nottingham Forest Home Stadium

City Ground is one of Nottingham’s two football grounds and is located on the banks of the River Trent, just 275 meters from Meadow Lane, the home of Notts County competitors.

Nottingham Forest moved to its new ground on 3 September 1899. To raise the £3,000 needed to fund the construction of the new stadium, the club asked local players, fans, and industry to purchase a “new land scheme” of £5 bearer bonds. All. In this way, 2,000 lbs were lifted.

On October 12, 1957, the new eastern part of the stadium was opened with a capacity of 2,500 seats and a total cost of 40,000 pounds. The opening match was played against Manchester United. The match ended 2-1 in front of the guests, but the match is best remembered for the record attendance of the stadium, with 47,804 fans in attendance. The match ball, signed by the players of both teams, is still in the Forest Trophy room today.

Trent End is the newest section of the entire stadium; in fact, it was rebuilt on the occasion of Euro 96. After the reconstruction, the Trent End, named for its location near the River Trent and its visibility, could hold 7,338 people, thus bringing the total capacity of the stadium to 30,576 fans. The pitch can be expanded to 46,000 if Forest returns to the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest 2025-26 Squad

#	Player	Position	Age	Nationality	Contract	Market Value
26	Matz Sels	Goalkeeper	33	Belgium	30.06.2027	€7.00m
18	Angus Gunn	Goalkeeper	29	Scotland / England	30.06.2026	€2.20m
5	Murillo	Centre-Back	23	Brazil	30.06.2029	€55.00m
31	Nikola Milenković	Centre-Back	27	Serbia	30.06.2029	€35.00m
4	Morato	Centre-Back	24	Brazil	30.06.2029	€14.00m
23	Jair Cunha	Centre-Back	20	Brazil	30.06.2030	€13.00m
36	David Carmo	Centre-Back	26	Angola / Portugal	30.06.2029	€10.00m
30	Willy Boly	Centre-Back	34	Côte d’Ivoire / France	30.06.2026	€1.50m
44	Zach Abbott	Centre-Back	19	England	30.06.2029	€300k
3	Neco Williams	Left-Back	24	Wales	30.06.2029	€20.00m
27	Omar Richards	Left-Back	27	England / Jamaica	30.06.2026	€2.50m
34	Ola Aina	Right-Back	28	Nigeria / England	30.06.2028	€22.00m
17	Eric da Silva Moreira	Right-Back	19	Germany / Portugal	30.06.2028	€1.00m
6	Ibrahim Sangaré	Defensive Midfield	27	Côte d’Ivoire	30.06.2028	€24.00m
8	Elliot Anderson	Central Midfield	22	England / Scotland	30.06.2029	€32.00m
12	Douglas Luiz	Central Midfield	27	Brazil	30.06.2026	€30.00m
16	Nicolás Domínguez	Central Midfield	27	Argentina / Italy	30.06.2028	€18.00m
22	Ryan Yates	Central Midfield	27	England	30.06.2028	€12.00m
10	Morgan Gibbs-White	Attacking Midfield	25	England / Jamaica	30.06.2028	€50.00m
21	Omari Hutchinson	Attacking Midfield	21	England / Jamaica	30.06.2030	€22.00m
24	James McAtee	Attacking Midfield	22	England	30.06.2030	€20.00m
7	Callum Hudson-Odoi	Left Winger	24	England / Ghana	30.06.2026	€25.00m
14	Dan Ndoye	Right Winger	24	Switzerland / Senegal	30.06.2030	€35.00m
20	Jota Silva	Right Winger	26	Portugal	30.06.2028	€15.00m
–	Josh Bowler	Right Winger	26	England	30.06.2026	€1.00m
15	Arnaud Kalimuendo	Centre-Forward	23	France / DR Congo	30.06.2030	€22.00m
9	Taiwo Awoniyi	Centre-Forward	28	Nigeria	30.06.2027	€16.00m
19	Igor Jesus	Centre-Forward	24	Brazil / UAE	30.06.2029	€15.00m
11	Chris Wood	Centre-Forward	33	New Zealand	30.06.2027	€10.00m

Captain and Leadership Structure

Morgan Gibbs-White serves as the captain, bringing both experience and passion to lead the team effectively. Additionally, his understanding of the club’s culture and values makes him an ideal choice for this crucial role. Furthermore, the leadership group extends beyond just the captain to include several senior players who contribute significantly.

The captaincy represents more than just wearing the armband, as it embodies the spirit and determination characteristic of Nottingham Forest. Meanwhile, Gibbs-White’s technical abilities complement his leadership qualities, making him a complete player for the modern game. Subsequently, his influence extends throughout the squad, inspiring teammates to achieve their maximum potential consistently.

Vice-Captain and Senior Players

The leadership structure includes experienced players who support the captain in maintaining high standards throughout the season. Additionally, these senior figures provide guidance to younger squad members during both training sessions and match situations. Moreover, their collective experience helps navigate challenging periods that naturally occur during long competitive campaigns.

Coach and Management Team

Nuno Espírito Santo serves as head coach, having been appointed on 20 December 2023 following his successful track record in English football. Additionally, his tactical expertise and man-management skills have already begun transforming the team’s playing style significantly. Furthermore, his previous experience with several current players creates immediate understanding and chemistry within the group.

Tactical Philosophy and Playing Style

The coaching approach emphasizes organized defensive structure combined with quick transitions into attacking phases of play. Meanwhile, pressing intensity varies depending on match situations and opponent strengths, showcasing tactical flexibility and intelligence. Subsequently, player development remains a priority, with individual improvement contributing to overall team success throughout the season.

Coaching Staff and Support Structure

The technical team includes experienced assistants who bring specialized knowledge in areas such as fitness, tactics, and player analysis. Additionally, sports science professionals ensure players maintain peak physical condition throughout the demanding Premier League schedule. Moreover, youth development specialists help bridge the gap between academy talents and first-team opportunities.

Nottingham Forest 2025-26 Kit Collection

Nottingham Forest released its classic 25-26 home kit, maintaining the traditional red color scheme that supporters cherish deeply. Additionally, the design incorporates modern elements while respecting the club’s historical identity and visual heritage. Furthermore, attention to detail in the kit design reflects the club’s commitment to excellence both on and off the pitch.

Home Kit Design and Features

The home kit features the iconic Garibaldi red color that has become synonymous with Nottingham Forest throughout their illustrious history. Meanwhile, subtle design elements pay homage to memorable moments and achievements from the club’s golden eras. Subsequently, modern fabric technology ensures players remain comfortable during intense physical encounters throughout the season.

Away Kit Innovation

The new 2025-26 away kit draws inspiration from Nottingham’s famous Lace Market, connecting the club with its local community and cultural heritage. Additionally, this unique design approach demonstrates the club’s commitment to celebrating the city’s rich industrial past. Moreover, the away kit provides a distinctive alternative that stands out during travels to opposing venues.

Third Kit and Special Editions

Additional kit variations provide options for different match situations while maintaining consistent quality and design standards throughout the collection. Furthermore, special edition releases celebrate significant milestones and achievements in the club’s continuing journey toward success.

Nottingham Forest 2025-26 History

The Al-Hasawi family (2012-2017)

The Kuwaiti Al-Hasawi family bought the club on 11 July 2012 from Nigel Doughty’s heirs.

The new owners quickly told the press that they had a 3-5 year plan in mind to get the team back on top. After interviewing several coaches, on 19 July 2012, the management chose Sean O’Driscoll, former manager of Doncaster Rovers and Crawley Town. O’Driscoll was famous for his vision of the game, made up of a dense series of passes (a strategy with which he managed to bring Doncaster Rovers to the second category, the first time since the fifties), well regarded by Forest fans who thought it was made especially for their team. Previously O’Driscoll had already been on the Reds bench for 5 months as assistant to Steve Cotterill in the 2011-12 season, before accepting the role of head coach at Crawley.

On 15 December 2012, after a 0-0 draw at Brighton, Forest was ninth in the standings with 33 points, just 3 points from qualifying play-off positions. But the Al-Hasawi family’s multi-year plan changed quickly, the new owners immediately wanted the playoffs for their team. In the same week, President Omar Al-Hasawi left his role due to personal problems. His role was taken by his cousin Fawaz Al-Hasawi.

Sean O’Driscoll was sacked on Boxing Day 2012 despite a 4-2 win over Leeds United. Management announced that O’Driscoll’s dismissal was intended to replace him with a manager with Premiership experience, also in view of the January winter transfer market. Alex McLeish was chosen as O’Driscoll’s replacement. The choice was criticized by some members of the Forest supporters. Chief Executive Mark Arthur, Scout Keith Burt, and Club Ambassador Frank Clark were sacked in January 2013. On February 5, 2013, the streets of Nottingham Forest and Alex McLeish parted by mutual agreement, after just 40 days. Forest supporters that experts raised their concern at the club, so much so that journalist Pat Murphy described the situation as ‘chaos’.

Two days after McLeish’s departure, Billy Davies resumed the coaching post he left twenty months earlier. Davies’ first match ended in a draw against Bolton, which was followed by a 10-game unbeaten streak. Davies’ contract ended prematurely once again in March 2014, following a hefty 5-0 defeat to rivals Derby County. Neil Warnock turned down the coaching position, which was offered to him the day after Davies was fired. Despite the first refusal in March 2014, Stuart Pearce was chosen as the new manager, taking over the club from ferryman Gary Brazil. Pearce signed a two-year contract starting July 1, 2014. Pearce’s season got off to a good start, but the team failed to maintain this form. Pearce has fired again in February 2015 and his place was given to another former Forest player, Dougie Freedman. The season ended with a paltry fourteenth place, which forced Forest to the seventeenth consecutive year away from the Premier League.

2016-2017 season

The 2016-2017 season begins under the command of French coach Philippe Montanier, who is sacked on January 14 following disappointing results and below the expectations of the Kuwaiti management. In his place, Gary Brazil is recalled, in turn, exonerated exactly two months after the start of his adventure in favor of the former Rangers Football Club manager Mark Warburton, able to save the team on the last day thanks to the home victory for 3-0 over Ipswich Town Football Club.

On May 18, the official website of the company announced that the Greek entrepreneur Evangelos Marinakis (president of Olympiakos) bought 100% of the shares, thus putting an end to the disastrous era of Al-Hasawi.

The Marinakis era and the return to the Premier League (2017-today)
The start of the 2017-2018 season is one of the most promising, with the team still in the play-off zone, but, after a few games and an alternation of results, at the beginning of January 2018 the coach Mark Warburton is fired and the team is temporarily entrusted to youth coach Gary Brasil. He leads his team to a home loss to Aston Villa and a prestigious 4-2 victory over Arsenal in the FA Cup, which saw the Londoners eliminated from the competition. The property then decides to trust the Spanish Aitor Karanka.

On January 11, 2019, the Spanish coach resigned due to the lack of continuity in the results. After being replaced on an interim basis by his deputy, the Englishman Simon Ireland, on January 15, 2019, he is replaced by the Northern Irishman Martin O’Neill. In 2019-2020 they finished seventh, level on points with Swansea but did not qualify for the playoffs due to minimal goal difference. In 2020-2021 he ranks 17th, nine points from the relegation zone.

2021-2022 season

In the 2021-2022 season, Nottingham Forest closes the championship in fourth place, qualifying for the playoffs. After a bad start, with a win, a draw, and 6 losses in 8 games, the arrival of coach Steve Cooper, who picks up the legacy of Chris Hughton, marks a turning point. With a balance of 23 wins, 10 draws and 6 defeats in the league, Cooper leads the team from last place in the table to play direct promotion against Bournemouth but loses the direct clash at the Vitality Stadium by 1-0. After reaching the play-offs, Forest beat Sheffield United in the semi-finals (series decided on penalties) and Huddersfield in the final, achieving promotion to the Premier League, a category in which they were absent in the 1998-1999 season.

Twinning and Rivalry

Although Notts County is geographically the closest team, Forest has always been at least one category above County since the 1994-95 season, the most heated rivalry is precisely the one with Derby County, a city that is more than 20 kilometers away. Nottingham. The two clubs face each other in the East Midlands derby, an event that has become even more important with the birth of the Brian Clough Trophy in 2007. Another very heartfelt rivalry is that of Leicester City, also because of the relative proximity between the two cities.

Forest’s other rival is Sheffield United from neighboring South Yorkshire. This rivalry has its roots in the British miners’ strike of 84-85 when South Yorkshire miners called for a strike, unlike Nottinghamshire miners who continued to work, demanding a vote on the issue. The rivalry grew further when the two teams met in the 2002-03 play-off game, a semi-final won by Sheffield United 5-4 after a thrilling second leg won by the hosts 4-3. after the extension.

In Nottingham Forest’s heyday, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a heated rivalry against Liverpool was born. From the challenges in the Champions Cup with Liverpool was born the song of the Forest fans Are You Watching, Are You Watching, Are You Watching Liverpool! This was initially sung as Nottingham managed to eliminate their bitter rivals, who were the main culprits in taking the (red) shirt and the related nickname The Reds from the Forest. It was during an FA Cup match against Liverpool in Sheffield on April 15, 1989, that the horrific Hillsborough massacre took place in which 96 fans of the Merseyside team lost their lives.

Other rivalries less heartfelt but still active are those of Leeds United, Manchester United, and Burnley.

Nottingham Forest Worldwide ranking

Nottingham Forest holds a world ranking of 31.

Nottingham Forest trophies

League

• First Division
  • Champions (1): 1977–78
  • Runners-up (2): 1966–67, 1978–79
• Second Division/Championship
  • Champions (3): 1906–07, 1921–22, 1997–98
  • Runners-up (2): 1956–57, 1993–94
  • Promoted (1): 1976–77
  • Play-off winners (1): 2022
• Third Division/League One
  • Champions (1): 1950–51 (South)
  • Runners-up (1): 2007–08
• Football Alliance
  • Champions (1): 1891–92

Cups

• FA Cup
  • Winners (2): 1897–98, 1958–59
  • Runners-up (1): 1990–91
• Football League Cup
  • Winners (4): 1977–78, 1978–79, 1988–89, 1989–90
  • Runners-up (2): 1979–80, 1991–92
• FA Charity Shield
  • Winners (1): 1978
  • Runners-up (1): 1959
• Full Members Cup
  • Winners (2): 1988–89, 1991–92

European

• European Cup
  • Winners (2): 1978–79, 1979–80
• European Super Cup
  • Winners (1): 1979
  • Runners-up (1): 1980

Worldwide

• Intercontinental Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1980

Minor

• Anglo-Scottish Cup
  • Winners (1): 1977
• Football League Centenary Tournament
  • Winners (1): 1988

FAQs

Who is the captain of Nottingham Forest for the 2025-26 season?

Morgan Gibbs-White, a 25-year-old attacking midfielder, is the captain, known for his creativity and leadership.

What competitions is Nottingham Forest participating in during 2025-26?

Forest is competing in the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and UEFA Europa League, their first European campaign in 29 years.

What are the key features of the Nottingham Forest 2025-26 kit?

The home kit is red with white accents, the away kit is navy blue with gold, and the third kit is eco-friendly green.

Conclusion

Nottingham Forest’s 2025-26 season marks a pivotal chapter in their storied legacy, with a worldwide ranking of 31 reflecting their growing stature. The club’s well-balanced squad, led by captain Morgan Gibbs-White and coach Nuno Espírito Santo, blends youth, experience, and tactical flair, positioning them as contenders in the Premier League and UEFA Europa League. Their iconic kits, rooted in tradition yet embracing modern sustainability, resonate with a global fanbase. The City Ground, with recent upgrades, remains a fortress, while Forest’s historic European triumphs add weight to their resurgence. With strategic signings like Dan Ndoye and James McAtee, and a 6th-place Premier League standing as of August 2025, Nottingham Forest 2025-26 is a team poised for success, ready to carve new chapters in their illustrious history.

Source: FootballArroyo.co.uk