Neco Williams reacts as Nottingham Forest announce major appointment
Nottingham Forest have strengthened their coaching department with the addition of a former player, which has the approval of the squad.
Forest enjoyed a superb 2024/25 season under manager Nuno Esprito Santo as they came seventh in the Premier League and secured for European football next season.
The club will benefit from UEFA’s ruling on Crystal Palace and take their place in the Europa League instead of competing in the Europa Conference League as first thought.
Forest are in a battle in this transfer window to keep their best players, with Anthony Elanga having already departed to Newcastle and Morgan Gibbs-White caught up in a row with Tottenham over an ‘illegal’ approach for the midfielder.
Goalkeeper returns just days after announcing retirement
Santo has managed to keep Wayne Hennessey at the club after the goalkeeper announced his retirement from playing.
The Welsh international has been a back up keeper at the club over the past two seasons, making just four appearances.
Hennessey will stay at the City Ground in the club’s goalkeeping department and the announcement made on Forest’ Instagram page was liked by Neco Williams and current number one Matz Sels.
The Belgian was the joint winner of the Golden Glove last season, keeping 13 clean sheets as Forest became on the toughest Premier League defences to break down.
Off-field developments not aiding Forest
Football Insider Verdict
Keeping Hennessey at the club, who has been around the past two seasons and knows all the players, is a good move by Santo.
The 38-year-old brings with him vast experience of playing at the top level and in international football having won 109 Welsh caps.
| Appearances | 350 |
| Clean Sheets | 95 |
| Goals Conceded | 515 |
Santo needs to keep as many of last season’s squad as possible to aid their rise up the table.
Former Arsenal Sporting Director Edu has been appointed Forest’s new Global Head of Football, which will see him oversee all football related functions.
Edu and the club need to sort out their friction with Spurs over Gibbs-White and ensure it does not distract them from their pre-season preparations.
Forest insist Gibbs-White isn’t going anywhere, but Spurs can offer the 25-year-old Champions League football and will not be backing down in their pursuit.
PSV winger Johan Bakayoko is being lined up as an Elanga replacement and Santo has already moved to sign striker Igor Jesus to support Chris Wood.