UPDATE: Jesse Lingard has opened up about his tumultuous tenure at Nottingham Forest, expressing regrets over his decision to join the club instead of returning to West Ham United. In a revealing interview with Sky Sports, the former England international shared insights into his challenging experience since joining the Reds in the summer of 2022.
Lingard joined Forest as a free agent after leaving his boyhood club, Manchester United, but the move did not yield the expected results. He made only 17 league appearances before departing at the end of his contract. Reflecting on his journey, Lingard stated, “I wanted to go to West Ham. That was just facts.”
The attacker highlighted that despite a successful loan spell at West Ham prior to his Forest move, various factors influenced his decision to sign with Nottingham. “There was a lot of things in the background that persuaded me to go to Forest,” he admitted. “But still my mind was always set on West Ham.”
Lingard noted that he was offered a lucrative three-year deal at West Ham, which he considered a more sensible choice compared to the shorter contract at Forest. “Of course you’d take the three-year deal over the one-year deal at Forest; it’s just common sense,” he said.
The 30-year-old expressed that his time at Forest provided valuable lessons about certain individuals, stating, “Everything happens for a reason. I’ve learnt through the process of being at Forest about certain people.”
After leaving Forest, Lingard signed with South Korean club FC Seoul in 2024. Now, he finds himself as a free agent once again and is eager for new opportunities. “I’m open,” he remarked when discussing his future plans. “There is always going to be speculation and rumors. I’m ready for a new challenge.”
Lingard’s candid reflections on his time at Nottingham Forest resonate with fans and may spark discussions about player choices in professional football. What do you make of Lingard’s comments? Click HERE to have your say.
