Former England managers Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren will be looking for instant promotion in the first full season with their respective League Championship teams when they open their campaigns Saturday.
Eriksson, who managed Lazio and Benfica before leading England from 2001-06, will be under pressure to lead Leicester into the Premier League after having spent more money than any other club in the second-tier division.
McClaren, Eriksson's replacement whose failure to lead England to the 2008 European Championship cost him the job, took over as Forest manager during the offseason follwing the departure of Billy Davies.
''We have never hidden what we want to do - we want to play Premier League football as soon as possible.'' Eriksson said ahead of his team's match at Coventry.
The Swede has engineered some impressive player moves during the offseason. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, the son of star Manchester United 'keeper Peter Schmeichel, has signed for the team along with former Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky.
Striker David Nugent, who scored 14 goals in a struggling Portsmouth side last season, has also joined while midfielder Michael Johnson has arrived on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
McClaren has similarly made some astute signings in recruiting midfielders Andy Reid and Jonathan Greening. Both players have plenty of Premier League experience and will be key figures for Forest.
Forest, the European Cup champions in 1979 and 1980, have been absent from the Premier League since 1999.
''It is always important to get a good start,'' McClaren said of the first match, at home to Barnsley. ''Not getting the start that is required puts the team under pressure.''
West Ham begins life back in the football league against Cardiff on Sunday after having been relegated in May.
Sam Allardyce has taken over from Avram Grant as manager and has also made some impressive singings, notably Kevin Nolan from Newcastle. The 29-year-old Nolan scored 12 goals in the Premier League for Newcastle last season from midfield.
Allardyce has so far managed to hold on to three players with England experience - midfielder Scott Parker, striker Carlton Cole and goalkeeper Robert Green - despite some interest from Premeir League teams.
Also, promoted Brighton starts against Doncaster at its newly opened 22,500-seat stadium, newcomer Southampton takes on Leeds at St. Marys and Hull opens the season versus Blackpool.
