Tom Mallinson on the Ryan Yates culture at Nottingham Forest Women

[Getty Images] announced that Tom Mallinson, the new Nottingham Forest Women head coach, aims to instill a "Ryan Yates culture". Eight years old, Ryan Yates entered Nottingham Forest’s academy, a journey that now sees him captaining the club’s first‑team side and embodying the city’s football spirit. His rise from a child prospect to captain underscores the significance of his leadership for both Forest and the people of Nottingham.

Tom Mallinson, the newly appointed head coach of Nottingham Forest Women, says he strives to embed a "Ryan Yates culture" throughout his coaching career. He credits the time spent developing Yates in the club’s academy for shaping his own philosophy.

Yates joined Forest as an eight‑year‑old and later experienced four loan spells before breaking into the first team. He became an integral part of the side that achieved promotion to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years.

"It means everything to the academy and the people of Nottingham to see one of your own playing and captaining Forest," Mallinson told the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast. He emphasized how the captaincy reflects the club’s community roots.

Mallinson added that Yates’ hard‑working nature sometimes masks his many qualities, highlighting his personality as a key factor in his success. He described Yates as a servant of the club who sacrifices himself for teammates and embodies the Forest family ethos.

The full interview is available on the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, which can be streamed via BBC Sounds. Listeners can also hear the discussion through Getty Images’ coverage of the club.