​Vitor Pereira has departed Nottingham Forest as the club edges closer to naming Oliver Glasner, the former Crystal Palace manager, as his successor. BBC Sport understands the appointment of the 51-year-old Glasner is nearly complete, with only the formalities remaining. Glasner, who left Palace at the end of last season, was approached earlier this summer and is set to become Forest’s fifth manager in under a year. Forest confirmed Pereira’s exit on Thursday evening, along with the departure of several staff members, including Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes. In a club statement, Forest thanked Pereira and his team for their hard work and the relationships they built with players, staff and supporters, wishing them well for the future. It is believed Pereira was informed of the decision to part ways late on Tuesday after Forest exercised a break clause in his contract, a move that stunned the former Wolves boss. Pereira told BBC Sport that the decision came as a surprise, but he respected the club’s right to make what it believes is best for its future. He expressed disappointment yet pride in what they achieved together, highlighting the club’s Premier League safety, a Europa League semi-final run, and the development and unity of the players. He left Nottingham Forest with gratitude and good memories, and without bitterness, hoping the club continues to grow. Pereira had one year remaining on his deal and had recently attended a London meeting to finalise transfer plans. He had already organized pre-season in Portugal, with Forest set to play friendlies against Blackburn, Vitoria Guimaraes, Sporting Lisbon, Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona and Udinese this summer. The club also confirmed a tournament with Udinese and Barcelona had been arranged earlier in the week.