Exclusive: Nottingham Forest Line Up Coaching Position for Veteran Keeper Wayne Hennessey

Nottingham Forest are set to offer veteran goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey a position on their coaching staff after his contract finishes later this month, SportsBoom sources have learnt.

Wales international Hennessey, 38, did not play a single game in the Premier League last season as one of two back-up keepers for number one, Matz Sels.

109-cap stopper Hennessey last game was an international friendly for his country in October 2023, but he has not played first-team football since starting in a 1-1 away draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League in May 2023.

Belgian goalie Sels enjoyed a fine season between the posts for Forest last season as they finished an impressive seventh place in the table, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.

Forest have Brazilian keeper Carlos Miguel, 26, on their books, but he only played twice in the FA Cup last season and once in the League Cup.

And SportsBoom understands the City Ground outfit want to sign a more experienced keeper respectively in case of injury to Sels, who played in every one of Forest’s Premier League games last season.

INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE

Hennessey is well-liked at the City Ground and has been compared to fellow keeper Scott Carson, formerly of Manchester City.

Carson, 39, was part of a City squad that won 11 trophies – including the Treble in 2022-23 – but whom made only two appearances for the club.

However, like Hennessey, Carson has been praised for helping to develop young players and maintaining a positive attitude has a key member of the squad.

Hennessey has bags of Premier League experience having had eight seasons in the top-flight with former club Crystal Palace, as well as having had three seasons with Wolves at the same level.

And with over a decade of Premier League experience under his belt, Forest are keen for Hennessey to work closely with Forest’s goalkeeping coach Rui Barbosa, developing young talent and working with Sels on a regular basis.