Nottingham Forest Strengthens Backroom Staff with Addition of Alek Gross as Head of Performance
Nottingham Forest, the English football club, has made significant changes behind the scenes to strengthen its backroom staff. One of the key additions is Alek Gross, who will take on the role of head of performance. Gross, formerly Southampton’s head of sports science, will play a senior role in the club’s restructuring efforts.
The appointment of Gross is part of the wider changes implemented by Ross Wilson, Forest’s chief football officer. Wilson, who previously worked with Gross at Southampton, has been focused on creating a stronger infrastructure at the club. This includes making new additions at every level, from the first team to the academy and the women’s team.
One of the main reasons for these changes is Forest’s poor injury record in the Premier League last season. The club suffered from numerous soft-tissue injuries, and it has become a priority for them to address this issue. To tackle this problem, Forest has also brought in Adam Burrows as their new head of strength and conditioning. Burrows was part of Thomas Tuchel’s backroom staff when Chelsea won the Champions League in 2021.
Gross, who left Southampton after their relegation last season, brings valuable experience to Forest. During his time at St Mary’s stadium, he successfully combined his role as head of sports science with that of first-team fitness coach. Forest hopes that Gross’s expertise will help them reduce the number of soft-tissue injuries and improve overall player fitness.
Before joining Southampton, Gross worked for the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team for six years. He played a crucial role in helping them win the Super League title in three successive seasons. His experience in both football and rugby league will be invaluable in his new role at Nottingham Forest.
In addition to his responsibilities as head of performance, Wilson has also taken charge of the club’s recruitment plans. Forest has already made bids for Ibrahim Sangare of PSV Eindhoven and has expressed strong interest in goalkeeper Dean Henderson and winger Anthony Elanga from Manchester United. They have also offered a two-year contract to Willian, who is deciding between a move to Forest or accepting a new one-year deal from Fulham.
While no transfers have been finalized yet, Forest is actively working on strengthening their squad. Wilson is also focused on moving out fringe players to balance squad-building with the requirements of financial fair-play. The club is optimistic about the potential signing of Sam Surridge, who is set to join Nashville SC for £5 million. Surridge was out of favor with Steve Cooper, Forest’s manager, and was in the final year of his contract.
Overall, Nottingham Forest’s restructuring efforts have led to the strengthening of their backroom staff with the addition of Alek Gross as head of performance. With his experience and expertise, Gross will play a crucial role in improving player fitness and reducing injuries. Additionally, Ross Wilson’s focus on recruitment and squad-building will help the club strengthen its squad for the upcoming season. Forest fans can look forward to a more robust and competitive team as the club continues its efforts to achieve success on and off the pitch.
(Photo: James Bridle – Southampton FC/Southampton FC via Getty Images)