New boss Pereira hails 'very good' result as Forest enjoy record win at Fenerbahce

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira during the match
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira during the matchREUTERS / Umit Bektas

Nottingham Forest's new head coach Vitor Pereira said he ⁠had encouraged his players to express themselves at Fenerbahce on Thursday and they responded ‌in style with a 3-0 victory that marked their ‌biggest away win in European competition.

The comfortable ‌win in the first leg of their Europa ‌League knockout round play-off tie in Turkey ‌was the perfect start for Pereira, who took the helm last weekend following the departure of Sean ‌Dyche.

Goals from Murillo, Igor Jesus and ⁠Morgan Gibbs-White secured ‌the win but the scoreline could have been ​even more emphatic.

"We had chance to score two more goals. It was a ​very good result," Portuguese Pereira told TNT Sports. "It is only half-time, we need to be ⁠consistent, the schedule ​is tight and difficult."

Pereira is Forest's fourth managerial appointment this season after Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Dyche, and the 57-year-old arrives ‌with the side just three points above the Premier League relegation zone.

"Everyone must be ready to help the team. This is what I ask them," said Pereira. "I realised before I came that the players have a lot of quality. They need results but they need to enjoy the game.

"If they enjoy ‌the way they are playing they can have ​a high level. They need organisation and ‌confidence. I asked them to express themselves on the pitch. They did it."

Forest host Liverpool in the league on Sunday before Fenerbahce arrive for the second leg of ⁠their Europa League ⁠tie on February ‌26.