Nottingham Forest are facing an important summer after surviving Premier League relegation battles once again. While fans were bracing for potential player exits, the club has confirmed a significant behind-the-scenes departure that has sent ripples through the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest confirm City Ground departure at start of key summer
Nottingham Forest have announced the departure of head of football development Craig Mulholland. Mulholland has left the club after three years to take up the prestigious post of chief football officer at the Scottish FA.
His exit comes at the start of a crucial summer for the Reds as they look to build on their Premier League survival and avoid another relegation scrap next term under manager Vitor Pereira.
A statement from Nottingham Forest read: “Nottingham Forest can confirm Craig Mulholland has left the club to take up the role of chief football officer at the Scottish FA. Mulholland joined Forest in 2023 as head of football development and talent management, playing a key role in the club’s football strategy across the academy, women’s and men’s first teams. Everyone at Nottingham Forest thanks Craig for his contribution to Nottingham Forest, wishing him the best for his next step.”
The news broke suddenly, with Mulholland himself taking to social media to share an emotional farewell message that left many Forest fans stunned. In a heartfelt post on LinkedIn and X, he reflected on his time at the club, thanking supporters, staff, and players for their support during a transformative period that saw the club achieve their highest-ever Premier League finish and reach a European semi-final for the first time in over 40 years.
Mulholland’s impact at the Nigel Doughty Academy
During his three-year tenure at the City Ground, Mulholland’s role was wide-ranging. As head of football development and talent management, he oversaw loans, emerging talent development, recruitment strategies, first-team player transitions, player pathways, the B team, and the men’s academy setup at the Nigel Doughty Academy.
His contributions coincided with significant progress for both the men’s and women’s teams. The women’s side secured promotion to the WSL2 for the first time, while the men’s squad showed remarkable resilience, navigating PSR constraints and building a competitive squad capable of mixing it with the Premier League’s elite.
Insiders at the club have described Mulholland as a key architect behind the scenes, helping to align the academy pathways with first-team ambitions. Several young talents progressed under his watch, contributing to the squad’s depth during injury crises and cup runs.
A return to Scottish roots
Mulholland’s move represents a homecoming of sorts. He has previously worked for the Scottish FA early in his career, holding roles such as assistant football development officer, football development officer, and senior youth development officer.
Before joining Forest, he spent two decades at Rangers, rising through the ranks to become academy operations manager and eventually academy director at Ibrox. His work there helped produce a number of Scotland internationals who went on to have successful careers.
In his official statement on the SFA website, Mulholland expressed his excitement: “I am delighted to be joining the Scottish FA at a critical time for the game in our country, which I care passionately about. We have the World Cup to look forward to, and that excitement brings the ideal opportunity to implement positive change throughout all areas of our game, building on the many strengths we have as a nation.
“I have loved my time working in the Premier League, where every day you are exposed to the world’s best players and coaches, but when I heard the desire and willingness from Mike Mulraney, as president, and Ian Maxwell, as CEO, to really implement an exciting period of growth and change here in Scotland, it was something I was excited about, delighted to accept, and privileged to be asked to lead.”
SFA reaction and ambitions
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell welcomed the appointment warmly: “We’re delighted to have Craig on board. He was the outstanding candidate from a thorough process. This is a critical role within the Scottish FA – and Scottish football in general – so we wanted to make sure that we took our time to find the right individual who can help drive improvements across the board.
“Craig comes highly recommended to us from his position as head of football development and talent management at Nottingham Forest in the English Premier League, but we’re equally enthused by his varied experiences in Scottish football.”
The role vacated by Andy Gould, who left for FIFA, will see Mulholland shape and deliver the vision for football development and performance across Scotland – from grassroots to the national teams.
Broader context: Summer of change at the City Ground
Mulholland is unlikely to be the only high-profile departure from Nottingham Forest this summer. Global head of football Edu is also expected to leave the club, with his appointment not delivering the anticipated results despite his pedigree from Arsenal.
These backroom changes come as Forest aim to stabilise under Vitor Pereira. The Portuguese manager has impressed since arriving mid-season, guiding the side to safety. Contract talks are underway with key players, including Murillo who recently signed a new long-term deal until 2030.
Transfer speculation is already heating up. Links with free agents like Solly March, interest in midfield reinforcements, and the need to balance the books after significant spending in previous windows dominate discussions among fans. Potential exits of stars like Elliot Anderson, who has attracted interest from Manchester City, add to the sense of transition.
Fans have mixed reactions. While many understand Mulholland’s desire for a new challenge closer to home, some worry about losing institutional knowledge at a time when continuity is needed. Social media has been flooded with tributes and questions about who will replace him in the crucial development role.
What this means for Nottingham Forest’s future
As the summer transfer window approaches, Forest must navigate player sales, smart recruitment, and backroom restructuring. The club’s ownership, led by Evangelos Marinakis, has shown ambition but must balance financial fair play regulations carefully.
The departure of experienced figures like Mulholland highlights the challenge of retaining top talent in a competitive football landscape. However, it also opens opportunities for fresh ideas and new appointments that could better align with Pereira’s vision.
Forest supporters will be hoping that this “heartbreak” at the City Ground marks the beginning of a more stable and successful era rather than another period of upheaval. With the 2026/27 Premier League season on the horizon, the Reds need to turn survival into sustainable mid-table security or better.