Nottingham Forest

Mark Clattenburg spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday, reflecting on his time in an advisory role at Nottingham Forest last season.

"I wasn't a referee consultant," he said. "I think there was a misinterpretation of what my role was. I was an advisor to the owner and to the board.

"He [Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis] wanted to understand English football, the English culture, he wanted to understand English refereeing, so there were a lot of different aspects to my role.

"I didn't speak to the referees before the game, and I haven't been a referee for seven years in the Premier League so I don't really know this new batch of referees. However, I knew the interpretation, I understood what was going on in football in England, so I used to pass on my expertise and my knowledge about the English game, not just refereeing."

When asked if his time at the club was a success, Clattenburg added: "No, because if you look, it caused more problems than it did good. There were certain things that we implemented within the club, certain ways to give a sporting edge to Nottingham Forest, but there seemed to be a huge outcry from certain people, certain bodies, certain companies.

"What I found difficult was that I haven't been a referee for seven years, so therefore I don't owe the Premier League or the PGMOL anything. I was employed by them, I refereed and I gave them my services. I should have been allowed to pass my services on, but it seemed to cause problems and I was highlighted every week and it just caused a problem.

"I thought it was the right thing to leave, to give the club a chance to stay in the Premier League, because it didn't matter what, they were still getting wrong decisions against."

We asked for what you think should be the number one priority for Nottingham Forest this summer.

Here are some of your responses:

Peter: First priority is to ensure we don't fall foul of PSR. We all know it's flawed, but we can't afford to have another points deduction. After this, quality over quantity is the recruitment aim.

Chris: Keep our top attacking players if at all possible. I'm worried we'll sell Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi amongst others.

Tony: A firm commitment to stay at the City Ground.

Si: Forest's number one priority should be confirming Nuno is the man in charge. Publicly back him, give the club some stability so we can grow next season. And then a nice quiet summer please!

Jacob: We need a Premier League-proven striker that can easily score 20 goals a season, or a Premier League-proven solid midfielder that can hold it all together, otherwise I feel we are OK.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have confirmed that midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and centre-back Scott McKenna are among six senior players who will leave the Premier League club this summer at the end of their contracts.

Harry Arter, Wayne Hennessey, Loic Mbe Soh and the retiring Felipe will also be departing.

Kouyate had four-year spells at both West Ham and Crystal Palace before joining Forest in the summer of 2022 and made 36 appearances for the club.

Centre-back McKenna, who helped Forest win promotion from the Championship in 2021-22, ended the season on loan at Danish club FC Copenhagen.

The club summer is off and running, so what's the first thing that needs sorting out at Nottingham Forest?

Is it a contract, a transfer, a fan issue or something else?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Tottenham could make an offer for 23-year-old Nottingham Forest and England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi before the end of the month. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

On the latest episode of the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray breaks down his favourite interviews of the 2023-24 season.

One that is likely to particularly resonate with Forest fans is Fray's interview with Steve Cooper after the disastrous 5-0 defeat away to Fulham in December 2023. During the defeat the travelling fans repeatedly chanted Cooper's name but the beloved manager who led the club back to the Premier League after 24 years was sacked just under two weeks later.

"I thought that was the last time we were going to be hearing from Steve Cooper," Fray told the podcast. "He did last a couple more matches.

"I always thought that some of the times he spoke best was when the club was really struggling, the team was struggling for points, and this was a real dip.

"To go to Fulham on a night where many thought his job was on the line and lose 5-0 was as down as you can get and yet I still thought that he spoke amazingly well and in amazingly humble tones.

"Of course that was the night the fans were signing his name and giving him huge support again. It almost felt like it was a goodbye from the crowd as well, he stood in front of them at the end and was waving and thanking them and kept tapping his heart.

"This was another occasion where he spoke really, really well in adversity.

"It will be interesting to see where Cooper goes next. I'm sure he will not be short of offers and will be choosing very carefully where the next port of call is for him."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

How closely have you been paying attention to the Reds' season?

Check out our Forest quiz - and see if your knowledge is in order.

Try it now

For all the club Premier League quizzes, head here

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Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge has been discussing the Reds' transfer business on the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast: "As we know, every year recruitment is the biggest issue for a football club to go forward.

"The biggest let down this year has been [Ibrahim] Sangare by a country mile. From what we expected from when we got him we thought he'd dominate midfield and be a bullish player who would knock people out of the way and control games.

"That's just not happened - on him it's a big decision for the football club because he cost a lot of money and at the moment it is not proving to be worthwhile. He has a long contract so do you give him a longer time to establish himself in the Premier League and see if he can compete better?

"His adaptation this year has not been great in a really tough league. He was a top player in Holland but in the Premier League he has not been seen to be a top player."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray added: "It is going to be interesting this summer. I don't think Forest will be quite as flamboyant in the transfer market.

"Given what has happened this season the key is to not have a points deduction again next season and to make sure if they need to sell someone before the 30 June to balance the books then they do that. I think most of us are expecting that to have to happen."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge believes "recruitment is the biggest issue within a football club" and that there will be a lot of changes made again this summer at the City Ground.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, he said: "It's just the nature of the turnover of football clubs."

"There will be players who will be moved on. You have to have a refresh every summer anyway to get younger players like Murillo - who comes in from nowhere and takes the place by storm.

"As we know every year, recruitment is the biggest issue within a football club to go forward - that is vital, the older players will get eased out in time."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray said he thinks the club will approach the window in different way to how they did last season.

"I don't think Forest will be quite as flamboyant in the transfer market this summer. Obviously, given what's happened this season, the key is to not have a points deduction again next season," he said.

"Make sure that if they have to sell someone before 30 June to balance the books - then they do that. I think most of us are expecting that to have to happen."

He added: "The problem that Forest have got here is the rule - this is what caught them last season and they can't get caught by the same thing again next season.

"In what's going to be a stronger division next season a points deduction would potentially hamper you even more."

You can listen to the whole episode here

Nottingham Forest will have to sell players before the end of June to avoid breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules and being hit with a potential points deduction next season. (i.news), external

Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to be a target for Tottenham. (Guardian), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
Senior football news reporter

Heading into a third Premier League season, after 23 years away, should be considered progress but there is much to be done.

Forest clearly have talented players but their game management and set piece defending must improve while they were the fourth lowest scorers in the division. Since the start of last season they have dropped 53 points from winning positions.

Biggest success for club this season?

After their four-point deduction in March for breaching profit and sustainability rules survival was the crucial achievement this term.

Their final points total of 32 sets a new record low for Premier League survival, two fewer than West Brom’s tally of 34 in 2004-05, though so improvement is needed.

Biggest let down or frustration?

There is only one, even discounting the mammoth season tickets rises imposed on fans.

Forest’s frustration with the decisions in March’s 2-0 defeat at Everton spilled over with their controversial social media post, leading to FA and Premier League charges.

Key item on the summer agenda?

Nuno Espirito Santo has already suggested he expects interest in his players, especially Morgan Gibbs-White, so moulding the squad and keeping their best talent is crucial.

Nuno likes to work with a small squad so he will be expected to trim it this summer.

Where and how can Forest improve? Tell us here, external

Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

Has it been a season of progress, stagnation or indifference?

What many fans hoped would be a season of consolidation and a little progression became one of frustration and annoyance, but crucially, it ended with the club safe in the Premier League for a third season. In terms of points won on the pitch, Forest were slightly down on their first season back in the top-flight. Throw in a four-point deduction and things became very tight again in terms of avoiding relegation. It’s been a stressful watch for the fans – both in terms of what’s happened on the pitch and off it, and Premier League safety drew another big sigh of relief.

Biggest success for club this season?

It’s not been a season with much success to cheer, but for me, the form of three new signings who caught the eye during the season has been a highlight – and when you consider the prices paid, it has to go down as a success for the club. Those players are Callum Hudson-Odoi (a bargain at £3m), Ola Aina (a free transfer) and Murillo. The Brazilian defender cost around £11m (plus add-ons) after only playing 13 senior games in his career. He’s been a delight to watch, and has hugely increased his value in just one season.

Biggest let down or frustration?

Has to be allowing themselves to be caught out by the PSR rules and so being deducted four points. They felt they had a strong case in mitigation – the sale of Brennan Johnson for an increased profit. But the independent panels took a dim view of that happening after the June 30th deadline – even if Forest would have made less profit by selling before then. Fans would not have been forgiving if Forest had been relegated by four points or fewer, but thankfully they were good enough on the pitch to overcome the issue. Not far behind is the huge frustration with VAR. There’s not time here to go into the 10 Premier League matches affected by perceived (and often proven) poor officiating decisions, but it’s not difficult to come up with six or seven points those proven incorrect decisions have cost them. It could be more. Hypothetically, if you add those points to their total, it becomes a far more comfortable season.

Key item on the summer agenda? Recruitment, recruitment, recruitment! For the third summer in a row, Forest are recruiting for a Premier League campaign. The first, understandably, was a whirlwind. The second remained busy and was hit and miss in terms of success. Between them, they led to that PSR rule breach. This summer, they need to make absolutely certain that they don’t fall foul of that again. Make timely sales, and if they can unearth more signings like the three mentioned above, that would be ideal!

McNulty’s pre-season prediction: 14th

Actual finish: 17th

It was a turbulent season at Nottingham Forest with popular manager Steve Cooper sacked in December. Replacement Nuno Espirito Santo hardly presided over a grand revival, while Forest were in real relegation peril when they were deducted four points for breaches of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

They managed to survive, with Morgan Gibbs-White an influential performer, and Forest feeling they were another club to suffer the rough end of VAR decisions, something owner Evangelos Marinakis made his feelings very clear about.

It remains to be seen whether Nuno stays and Forest can keep Gibbs-White, but for now survival will do after an indifferent campaign.

Read the rest of Phil McNulty's end-of-season Premier League report here

We asked you to select your Nottingham Forest player of the season from the four candidates chosen by our fan contributor.

After voting in your thousands, we can reveal the winner is... Morgan Gibbs-White!

Image source, Getty Images

And here's what Saveena Johal from Punjabi Forest, external had to say about your winner...

"It feels like Gibbs-White is one of our own, and I am sure he feels much the same - he plays his heart out and is clearly motivated by a deep respect for the club. Helping to motivate the team as captain, smart passes that land at the feet of his team-mates, and his link up play with Chris Wood - there is a lot he can do."

See the breakdown of results

And here is how the votes went for the other 19 Premier League clubs

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest secured another season in the top flight, even after a points deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Pat Riddell, from The Famous Club, external, gave their verdict on the 2023-24 campaign.

Season rating: 4/10. It could be lower but I am not sure it could be much higher. There has been promise and frustration in equal measure, but I think there are enough grounds to hope for better next season.

Happy with your manager? Nuno Espirito Santo has not had the easiest time since he came in, and you could argue staying up is job done. It has not been as impressive as we might have hoped, but he probably deserves a whole season now - unless the owner has other ideas.

Unsung hero: In a strange season, there have been lots of players who have impressed, but not all the time. Neco Williams might have been named player of the month three times in a row, but he is often under the radar. The Welshman always puts in a solid shift in and has hugely improved during his two seasons with us.

Player you would most like to sign: Finishing off chances has been one of our Achilles' heels this year and a frontman with an eye for goal must surely be at the top of the shopping list. Given our success with signing unknown Brazilians who can slot straight into the team (Murillo, Danilo), I would happily take somebody we have never heard of if he can score 20 goals next season.

Best away fans: Everton have been in much the same boat as us this season, and their visit in December - not long after their 10-point deduction - demonstrated their fans' loud, passionate support.

See how our other fan writers rated their club's season here

Image source, Getty Images

Willy Boly has signed a one-year contract extension to stay at Nottingham Forest.

The Ivorian international, who won the Africa Cup of Nations with his country in February, has made 21 appearances this season.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve next season," said the 33-year-old defender.

"The support of the fans has been incredible and I can't wait to continue playing in front of them."

Boly will remain at the City Ground until 2025, with an option to extend for a second year.

Nick Mashiter
Senior football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have triggered their one-year option to extend Ola Aina’a contract.

The full-back made 22 appearances for Forest this season, scoring once, to help them beat the drop.

Forest survived despite a four-point deduction in March for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Sunday’s 2-1 final day win at Burnley left them 17th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

Aina said: “I’ve been really happy with my time spent here at Forest and the fans have been great.

"I’m really looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Chief football officer Ross Wilson added: “Since Ola joined the club last summer he has impressed all of us with his performances both on the pitch and also with the positive personality that he brings to the group every day.

“We are delighted that he will move forward with us."

Image source, Getty Images

Felipe, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wayne Hennessey will leave the club this summer when their contracts expire, a club statement has confirmed.

The trio joined the club in 2022 upon promotion to the top flight, and will leave the City Ground after Forest secured Premier League survival on the final day.

Loanees Gio Reyna, Divock Origi, Nuno Tavares, Gonzalo Montiel and Rodrigo Ribeiro will also leave the club when their deals expire this summer.