New details have emerged regarding the planned restructure of Nottingham Forest's academy after the reported departure of long-serving academy chief Gary Brazil.
The 60-year-old is said to be among three key departures at the City Ground as part of a backroom shake-up. Former Sheffield United, Preston, Newcastle and Fulham player Brazil joined Forest in 2012, initially as youth team coach, after a spell on the coaching staff at Notts County.
Brazil had three stints as caretaker manager of the Reds while overseeing the rise of homegrown talents such as Brennan Johnson, Joe Worrall and Ryan Yates.
And The Athletic report that after Brazil's departure, assistant academy manager, Chris McGuane, has been offered a promotion to take up the role of academy manager. McGuane previously spent eight years with Watford’s youth system having helped to develop talents such as Manchester United's Jadon Sancho.
Holgate could snub Forest interest
Sheffield United are reportedly hoping that Mason Holgate’s existing relationship with manager Paul Heckingbottom will help them beat Nottingham Forest to his signature.
The Toffees centre-back is being linked with a move away from Goodison Park this summer with the Reds and the Blades said to be interested.
Holgate made just nine first team appearances for Everton last season and appears to be surplus to requirements. He joined the Merseysiders from Barnsley in 2015.
And amid claims by talkSPORT that he is in "advanced talks" to sign for Sheffield United, the Star claim that Holgate's previous experience of working with Heckingbotom at Barnsley is expected to come into play.
Henderson perplexed by delay
Dean Henderson is “convinced” a permanent move to Nottingham Forest will go through this summer.
The Reds are eager to sign the Manchester United shot-stopper following his successful loan spell on the banks of the Trent last season. They need to address their goalkeeping situation for the upcoming Premier League campaign, and Henderson is seen as a priority target.
The 26-year-old is keen on a return to the City Ground, and United are believed to be willing to let him leave. However, clarity is needed on David de Gea’s future before anything can be sorted with his teammate.
According to our sister paper the Manchester Evening News, Henderson is “convinced” he will join Forest permanently. It is said he is understood to be “perplexed” by suggestions he could remain at Old Trafford.
PSG meeting takes place
Nottingham Forest fans have shared their theories following claims that a meeting has taken place between the club’s chiefs and Paris Saint-Germain CEO Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.
French outlet SPORTS ZONE claim that the Qatari has been in London this weekend, but has continued work on the transfer window. He is said to have held meetings with incoming PSG boss Luis Enrique to discuss potential transfers.
The report also adds that the weekend saw a meeting take place between Al-Khelaïfi and ‘the leaders of Nottingham Forest ’. There is, however, no detail given in the report as to what the meeting was about.
Two new friendlies announced
Forest have announced two friendly matches as part of a pre-season trip to Spain ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Steve Cooper’s side will take on Valencia and Levante as part of a seven-day trip as they prepare for the new campaign. Both matches will take place behind closed doors.
The Reds will face Valencia in a training match at the La Liga side's training ground, Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna, on Tuesday, July 18. The game will kick off at 7pm local time.
On Saturday, July 22, they will play Levante at their training ground, Ciudad Deportiva de Buñol. That fixture will kick off at 12pm local time.
