Lewis Grabban and Wes Morgan have returned to Nottingham Forest to take on roles in the academy.
The promotion-winning striker and the popular defender – who began his career at Forest – have been appointed by Forest to help develop the next generation of talent.
The club hope that former players can play a vital role in helping young players on their journey to the first team – as they have walked the same path themselves.
Forest already have former defender Julian Bennett and Andy Reid – one of the best players to have come through the Forest ranks – on their staff at the Nigel Doughty Academy.
“The former players add value by knowing the elite level that the young players are aspiring to. They also understand the history and culture of the Club and city, which they can share with the young players,” said Craig Mulholland, the club’s head of football development and talent management.
Nottingham-born Morgan made over 400 appearances during a decade as a Forest player.
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Nottingham-born Morgan, who made over 400 appearances during a decade as a Forest player, will take on a scouting role, identifying young players as part of a new emerging talent recruitment team.
“I have a big affinity for the club. I’m looking forward to helping identify emerging talent,” said Morgan, who went on to win the Premier League title with Leicester City, after joining them in 2012.
“The club is proud to have consistently developed players from the Academy that go on to have successful professional careers with the first team and it’s our job to ensure that trend continues.”
Grabban scored 56 times for Forest during a four-year period at the City Ground.
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Grabban returns to Forest as a professional development phase coach, where he will work with the under-18s under Warren Joyce and with the club’s B team.
He scored 56 times for Forest during a four-year period at the City Ground, which climaxed with winning promotion via the Championship play-offs in 2022.
“I’m so pleased to be back at a club that gave me so many great memories as a player. I am looking forward to working alongside some great coaches and using my experience to help our young players develop. We have some really exciting talent.”
Reid – who made almost 300 appearances for Forest during two spells at the club as a player – had been part of the first team coaching team under Steve Cooper but has since taken on the role of transition coach in the academy, where he combines coaching with scouting.
Bennett, who returned to Forest in 2020, works with the younger players within the academy, in the foundation phase.
Midfielder Ryan Yates, who signed new four-year contract last month, is currently maintaining the long tradition of having at least one academy product in the Forest squad.
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