Yes, it was crass, cynical. Even vulgar. Pereira learning of Forest's decision - via email - two minutes before midnight. Two minutes before a clause in his original firefighter's deal allowing Forest to cut ties was to expire.
But the Portuguese must have put pen to paper back in February knowing what could happen. After all, he was the fourth manager of a season that was barely past the halfway stage. In a perfect world. In a normal world. Meeting expectations and keeping the club up would warrant a new contract, a bumper pay-hike and the gratitude of the owner. But this is Forest, Evangelos Marinakis' Forest. And at the City Ground, during this era, the Reds simply don't do normal.
The sympathy is there. As it should be. Pereira will have been rewarded handsomely for his achievements, but it doesn't paper over the formed relationships that will now become distant. The Portuguese admitting as much in his farewell letter the day after the night before:
“Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future. Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
"I would like to thank my coaching staff, the players, everyone behind the scenes, and especially the supporters. From my first day, your passion, loyalty and unwavering support made me feel incredibly welcome.
"You were with us through every challenge and every success, and I will always be grateful for that."
So Pereira's gone. But unlike his predecessors - Sean Dyche, Ange Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo, he leaves Forest with reputation not only intact, but enhanced. His achievements with a team that appeared destined to be relegated were nothing short of magnificent. Pereira managing to not only keep Forest safe, but also throw enough committed resources at their European run which saw the club finish in the final four of the Europa League. As we say, Pereira fulfilled his brief - and then some. But he was clearly only ever going to be a firefighter. Marinakis always had another man in mind - should he become available.
And now he has. Oliver Glasner, whom Marinakis made a play for ahead of hiring Nuno two seasons ago, has all but settled on terms to become Forest's next manager. After freeing himself from Crystal Palace, Glasner hasn't been short of interest since the end of the season, though in the case of offers, those haven't met the Austrian's ambitions - until now.
Glasner did go well down the road with AC Milan last month. Meeting with Milan owner Gerry Cardinale and his No2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Glasner at one stage was favourite for the post. Cardinale favoured him, Ibra didn't. And when Ralf Rangnick, who was speaking with Milan about the sports director's post, chose to extend his deal as Austria coach, Glasner'a chances fell through.
And while he coveted the Rossonero job, an offer to succeed Robin van Persie at Feyenoord was swiftly turned down. A return to Eintracht Frankfurt was also mooted, but again the Austrian wasn't tempted.
So why Forest? Indeed, why Marinakis' Forest? Well, what has been tabled to Glasner will have swayed his thinking: £13m-a-year will make the 51 year-old not only the highest paid manager in Forest's history - and by some margin - but also among the highest paid across Europe. But beyond the money, you do fancy what happened a year ago at the City Ground, in contrast to Glasner's experience with Palace also had a major influence.
In July of last year, Tottenham were convinced they had him. Forest skipper Morgan Gibbs-White was ready to go. A £60m buyout clause in his deal had been met. A medical had been scheduled. And Spurs' media team were primed for an announcement.
But then Marinakis stepped in. His lawyers too. Claims of an "illegal approach" were raised. Legal threats made. And Spurs backed down. For his part, Marinakis - rather than punish Gibbs-White - offered and secured his England midfielder to a new, three-year deal. The Greek magnate simply refused to roll over. To accept defeat. And by standing his ground, Marinakis' actions may've been enough to see Forest safe last season.
In contrast, at the same time, Palace were agreeing to sell Ebere Eze to Arsenal. Just as they had Michael Olise to Bayern Munich 12 months earlier. And six months after the Eze sale, Glasner was losing his captain, Marc Guehi, to Manchester City. Weeks - if not days - later, Glasner went public with his decision to run down his existing Palace deal to June.
Of course that take-no-prisoners approach by Marinakis also saw Forest replace Palace in the Europa League, forcing Glasner's FA Cup winners into the Europa Conference League. The anger at the time was palpable and even with the Eagles winning the title and qualifying for the Europa League this term, the bitterness is still there. Indeed, while Glasner leaves Palace as the club's greatest manager, his destination will do him no favours with the Holmesdale support. He may have to run a gauntlet when Forest go to Selhurst Park this new season - something we've not seen since Brian Little took Aston Villa to Filbert Street to face his former employers Leicester City all those years ago.
So, if things go to plan, Marinakis will have his man. A proven winner - at home and in Europe. A trailblazer. A manager who not only makes players better, but improves them beyond expectations.
As we say, the method wasn't the best. But in Oliver Glasner, Forest fans will soon be welcoming a manager with a record not seen since a certain Brian Clough. And like Vitor Pereira, should Glasner meet expectations, then you fancy the City Ground support will agree the current angst and frustration will have been well worth it.