Nuno was dismissed just three games into the 2025/26 campaign and replaced by Ange Postecoglou, whose reign would ultimately last just 39 days, leaving Forest in the bottom three.
The period proved a turbulent one for Hutchinson, the £37.5 million summer signing from Ipswich Town, who was largely restricted to substitute appearances under both Nuno and Postecoglou and omitted from Forest’s UEFA Europa League squad.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/11/image-cbed5ed7-8afa-48f7-9a11-ad5b5be6cc58-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Jesus strikes late to give Forest historic away win
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I watched the first game against Brentford (a 3-1 win) which was very entertaining and I thought I was in for a good treat,” he told TNT Sports in an exclusive interview.
“I was training but not playing, I was a bit confused.
“Obviously that situation happened (Nuno left) and Ange came in, and again I was trying to train hard and show a good impression.
“I hadn’t been playing games under the previous manager, and obviously he has to win games straight away and he’s going to put the trust into the players that have been playing, so he stuck with that philosophy as well.
“It has been challenging, but that’s what I’ve had throughout my whole career as a player, even from a young age.
“Some players have played over me or when I was too small I had to sit on the bench, so I’m kind of used to it. It was nothing I hadn’t faced before.”
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/23/image-a6d1aa7e-2c97-4bf1-bdea-056cbbd73da5-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Dyche ‘couldn’t be more proud’ being back at Forest as manager
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hutchinson’s fortunes have changed under new manager Sean Dyche, who has overseen a sharp upturn in results, winning seven of his first 13 games since taking charge in October.
Hutchinson made his first start for the club in the 1-0 win at Wolves on December 3 and has retained his place in the league since.
“It was obviously difficult for me but that didn’t last long and luckily I’ve impressed Sean since he’s come in, I started to get minutes off the bench and took my chance,” Hutchinson added.
“He’s a very good manager. He likes the simple way, he believes in the team having to have a strong bond.
“He wants a hard-working team, and obviously he wants to get results so however that it is, whether it’s sitting off or attacking with our qualities – because we have the players to do so – he just wants to win matches.
“He makes our life easy. Obviously, training is very difficult but that only benefits us in the matches. He wants to out-run and out-work teams and that’s what we’ve been working on in training.”
Long spells on the bench tested Hutchinson’s patience during the early months of his Forest career, but he leaned on family and team-mates for reassurance while waiting for his opportunity. That mindset, he says, was shaped by similar experiences earlier in his career.
“Luckily, I have a good family, and even my team-mates, they have all told me I’m still young, I’ve got so many games – injuries and suspensions are going to happen,” he said. “You never know when your time will be so you’ve got to be ready.
“I believe in myself and I’ve always been hungry to show people what I’m about. I’ve had a similar story at Arsenal before, not playing, so I know how it feels and I know it can change just like that. I knew it was only short-term. I’ve just got to get my head down and keep working.
“I need to start adding some goals now, but I feel like I’m on the right track and I have got momentum back.”
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/23/image-46c1162c-a6ec-42a4-9fdb-de4c4ff4289f-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Omari Hutchinson joined Forest in the summer – now he’s finally getting some proper game time
Image credit: Getty Images
Arriving at the City Ground as the club’s record signing brought expectation, but Hutchinson insists the size of the fee has never weighed on him.
“I forgot I was even the record signing. You forget all about that kind of stuff, you just want to be on the pitch, showcasing your ability and getting minutes,” he said.
“To come to a new team, you know it’s not going to be easy to break in straight away, but I knew with my qualities I can play. It was more frustrating that I wasn’t playing. No one even mentioned to me that you’re the club record signing. No one cares basically. You’ve just got to get on with it, it’s out of your control. I didn’t pay attention to it.”
Missing out on European football has also been a source of frustration, but Hutchinson believes it has only sharpened his focus.
“It has made me more hungry to get on the pitch. It’s very frustrating at the same time but I leave it in God’s hands and whatever happens, happens,” he said.
“I think all the work I’ve done behind closed doors has paid off since I’ve come off the bench and took my chance. I’m ready to be put back in the squad in January, hopefully, and make my European debut.”
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/27/image-0c34973e-e3b2-4057-9cd7-c1439ada1f53-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Dominant Forest sweep aside Malmo
Video credit: TNT Sports
Forest will entertain Premier League title challengers Manchester City on Saturday as they look to put further distance between themselves and the relegation zone and edge closer to the top half of the table.
Memories of Callum Hudson-Odoi’s winner against Pep Guardiola’s side last season remain fresh, and Hutchinson believes Forest’s recent upturn in form has restored belief within the squad ahead of this big test.
“Since I’ve joined here, everyone is ambitious to get back to where they were last season and even better. We’ve not had the start we had hoped for and we’re just getting on track now” he said.
“They created a bond and we’re trying to get that bond back together and start winning games again. Last season they were dominating teams and winning matches and now everything has settled down with the backroom staff situation, we just want to get back to winning games on a consistent basis.”
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/23/image-4ead16db-27e4-490b-a6e0-5a1c66668a43-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Omari Hutchinson was among the first-team players to attend the club’s Home For Christmas campaign events.
Image credit: Getty Images
Hutchinson was among the first-team players to attend the club’s Home For Christmas campaign events, supporting Nottingham Forest’s ongoing commitment to the local community.
Nottingham Forest players and staff have been supporting communities across the city during the festive period, including visits to Himmah’s Salaam Shalom Kitchen at the Hyson Green Community Hub, where hot meals were distributed to more than 150 people and over 200 items of winter clothing were donated.
Players have also backed the City Ground Food and Multibank Collection, with Nikola Milenkovic, Dan Ndoye and Matz Sels helping encourage donations from supporters, alongside contributions from players and their families.
The club has also opened the City Ground to bring people together over Christmas, hosting the Forest Family Social to help tackle social isolation and two festive parties for more than 150 children and young adults, including Warriors United.
Away from the stadium, Dyche and players visited the Children’s Hospital at Queen’s Medical Centre to spend time with families over the festive period, while the Magic Moments campaign has continued to offer deserving families behind-the-scenes matchday experiences.
–
