EX-IRELAND BOSS Martin O’Neill has been confirmed as the new Nottingham Forest manager.
The 66-year-old coach, who spent 10 years with Forest as a player and won countless trophies including two European Cups, has been on the lookout for a new job since leaving his role as Ireland boss last November.
Forest, who are currently ninth in the Championship, recently parted company with Aitor Karanka.
There is no confirmation yet as to whether Roy Keane, who was O’Neill’s assistant with Ireland, will join him.
Various media reports, however, have indicated that O’Neill is hoping to bring several members of his Ireland backroom team with him, including Keane, a fellow former Forest player and Manchester United legend.
🏠 #WelcomeHomeMartin #NFFC pic.twitter.com/xlRUY2gLMd
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) January 15, 2019
Prior to Ireland, O’Neill had managerial stints at, among others, Wycombe, Leicester, Celtic, Aston Villa and Sunderland.
The Derry native’s first fixture in charge will be the Championship match at home Bristol City on Saturday.
The ex-Northern Ireland international faces an uphill task at Forest, with seven managers leaving the club in the past three years.
“Martin is finally realising a life-long dream in managing his beloved Nottingham Forest,” said a statement on the club’s website.
“With his commitment to the club, knowledge of the game and passion to succeed, O’Neill will be aiming to take the club back into the top flight of English football and make the miracle happen again.”
Additional reporting by AFP
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