- September 13, 2025
- 5:03 pm
- Brief news
Oleksandr Zinchenko signed a loan with Nottingham Forest, giving him the opportunity to refresh his career.
Nottingham is at the center of historical heritage thanks to the talent of a famous manager, considered one of the best in English football. The club has ambitious goals, tied to one of the most talked-about owners in the English Premier League.
The unique stories associated with the club’s history make Nottingham Forest a significant place for both European and Ukrainian football fans.
History of Nottingham Forest
“Nottingham was always a provincial club, and nothing changed until he came,” says Martin O’Neill, referring to the legendary Brian Clough.
Clough, being the center of last year’s team, built his career, not quite reaching the level of a true legend.
Brian Clough was not just a coach; he was a real phenomenon. His story includes many instances that make one think about how he created his myth.
During his time, the club made a huge effort to build a track record — he scored 204 goals for modest Middlesbrough, but unfortunately, the defense let him down again.
In the winter of 1963, when the UK experienced severe frosts, Clough got into an accident and ended his career at the age of 28. The beginning of his alcohol problems became proverbial.
Soon after, Clough decided to return to football and took Peter Taylor under his wing, with whom they created a successful coaching tandem.
As a result of their joint work, Derby County became the champion of England, and Clough gained a reputation as a manager whose solo path would be accompanied by controversial decisions.
From 1975, invited by Nottingham, Clough set about creating a new strong squad. Eventually, he managed to lead the club to the championship in 1978 and victories in the European Cup in 1979 and 1980.
Clough became a symbol of that period when Nottingham was at the top.
Nottingham Today
After Clough’s departure, Nottingham got lost among the less noticeable clubs, suffering from financial difficulties. In 1999, the club was on the verge of bankruptcy and searched for ways to recover for a long time.
In 2012, new owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi introduced the club with difficulty, but the era of car enthusiasts with capitalist ambitions left a certain mark.
The club faced new realities when in 2017, it was acquired by Evangelos Marinakis, a man with a controversial reputation and a history of distant connections.
Under his leadership, the club sought ways to develop but faced difficulties in financially supporting the team.
Marinakis made his fortune in shipping and had good business opportunities, which put the club in ambiguous situations.
Today, Nottingham is becoming smaller, but its history remains multilayered.
Nottingham and the Ukrainian Context
Zinchenko’s move to Nottingham signaled changes made to the club. Since the appointment of coach Nuno Espírito Santo, questions about the team’s future have become more relevant.
The Ukrainian found himself in a situation where there was almost no choice — offers were limited, and the club’s context might raise questions from a geopolitical point of view.
Losses in recent matches with Liverpool strangely affected the player’s prospects, and the appearance of new partners may change the dynamics in the team.
“I am ready to support any tasks set by the coach as long as I can bring benefit and quality on the field,” says Zinchenko, showing his desire to stay in the game.
In the current conditions, he needs to quickly adapt and look into his own ambitions — to find his place in the Nottingham Forest team.