The Forest midfielder has credited his coach’s tactical philosophy for the club’s remarkable surge in Europe following his arrival
Morgan Gibbs-White was full of praise for Vítor Pereira after Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa on Thursday.
Forest find themselves on the precipice of their first European final in 46 years following a resilient first-leg victory over Aston Villa at the City Ground.
Chris Wood’s clinical 70th-minute penalty secured a 1-0 advantage for the Reds, providing a slender but vital lead ahead of next week’s return leg at Villa Park.
The result further solidified the atmosphere of growing belief in the East Midlands, extending Forest’s unbeaten streak to nine matches across all competitions.
For Gibbs-White, the transformation is a direct result of Vítor Pereira’s influence, with the Portuguese manager successfully navigating a turbulent season that saw him become the club’s fourth appointment since August.
Pereira arrived at the City Ground in February, inheriting a squad battling relegation and internal instability following the departures of Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, and Sean Dyche.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, Gibbs-White noted that the manager’s tactical ideas have been “a massive part of the success,” particularly in how he has encouraged the team to embrace the pressure of high-stakes continental football.
Vítor Pereira collects his second @LMA_Managers‘ Performance of the Week award following our 5-0 win at Sunderland! 🤩
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Well deserved, gaffer. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VBEptMoFiD
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 1, 2026
Pereira’s tactical freedom sparks Gibbs-White resurgence
A primary factor in Forest’s recent resurgence has been the renewed confidence of their number 10. Under Pereira, Gibbs-White has been granted the freedom to operate as the creative engine of the side, a role he has performed with flair throughout the knockout stages.
The midfielder emphasized that the head coach has urged the players to “play with a smile” while representing the badge, a sentiment that has resonated deeply with a fanbase that has waited three decades for a return to the European stage.
The tactical shift toward a more aggressive, front-foot style has seen Forest overcome the likes of FC Midtjylland and FC Porto to reach this historic semi-final.
“He’s been a massive part of the success that we’ve recently had in terms of his ideas and his tactics,” Gibbs-White said. “The way he believes football should be played – with passion, aggression and fight. we’ve been showing that in our performances.
“He’s given me the belief and the confidence that I needed to step up. There’s been a lot of pressure on us with big games coming up, and he said that we have to enjoy having the pressure on our shoulders.
“I feel like we’ve shown that in abundance. He’s given me that freedom to enjoy football, play with a smile on your face, and play for the badge as well – because it means everything. You can tell how much it means for the fans.”
