New Nottingham Forest manager Philippe Montanier said he expects to sign several new players as he makes his mark on the Reds squad.
Montanier, who’s official title at the club will be head coach, was appointed on Monday four months after the sacking of Dougie Freedman.
The Frenchman spoke to the press as Reds boss for the first time on Tuesday and revealed he expects to make ‘five, six or seven’ additions after he finishes assessing the current squad.
“I’m very proud to take charge, there’s a great past here but what’s important is the present and the future,” he said.
“I know the Championship is a very tough league.”
On reports the club is about to sign Greek international striker Apostolos Vellios, he said: “I think we can confirm the details tomorrow – then we will know more.
“Yes we want to recruit several more players to be stronger for the Championship. At the moment we must asses the team – but, sure, we are looking to recruit several players.”
He added he will first look at academy players before turning to signings from home and abroad.
When asked if he was setting a target for his time at the club, he said: “The target is only on the way we play and to give everything for the next match.”
Montanier appeared to be fluent in English and only occasionally turned to a translator to check certain questions during his 15-minute press conference.
When asked about how he might adapt the playing style of the team he pointed to how his previous sides, which include Real Sociedad in Spain and Rennes in France, had built from the back.
Montanier will take a Forest first team training session on Wednesday.
The 51-year-old had a playing career which saw him make more than 300 appearances for clubs including Toulouse, Nantes and Saint-Etienne.
After ending his career as a goalkeeper, the Frenchman took charge of Boulogne in 2004 and, during his final season, secured promotion to Ligue 1 for the first time in the club’s history.
A brief spell in charge of Valenciennes followed before Montanier was appointed as head coach at Spanish side Real Sociedad in 2011.
He exceeded all expectations in the 2012-13 season as he guided the club to a fourth-place finish in La Liga and subsequent qualification for the Champions League.
At the expiration of his contract with Real Sociedad, Montanier took over the reigns at French club Rennes. During his three-year spell with the Ligue 1 side, Montanier steered them to the Coupe de France final in 2014.
