NOTTINGHAM FOREST HAVE this evening made the surprise choice of Alex McLeish to be their new manager.
The Championship club sacked Sean O’Driscoll on St Stephen’s Day after five months of service and former player Roy Keane had been among those touted as possible replacements.
Forest will be the Scot’s third managerial role in England’s midlands having followed up a successful spell with Birmingham City with a troubled time at Aston Villa.
It is the former of these experiences which appear to have influenced Kuwaiti chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi who, in a statement released on the club’s website this evening, said:
“Alex took Birmingham to promotion from the Championship and has great experience of working in the Premier League.
“He’s hungry for more success and I believe he’s the man who can help us fulfil our ambition of making it to the Premier League.”
McLeish will begin work at the City Ground tomorrow before taking charge of Saturday’s home league clash against promotion-chasing Crystal Palace. But the 53-year-old’s reputation for producing teams that play dour football makes his appointment something of a gamble for Forest.
Villa only narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing two points above the bottom three, and McLeish endured a difficult relationship with the club’s fans.
Dominant
It is over 30 years since two-time European champions Forest were a dominant force in English football under legendary boss Brian Clough, but Al Hasawi and co-owner Abdulaziz Al Hasawi believe they can restore the club to its former glory.
And McLeish, who led Rangers to two Scottish league titles, will be expected to deliver promotion in his first season at Forest, who are currently eighth in the Championship.
The former Scotland coach insists he is revitalised after eight months out of the game following his Villa exit and can’t wait to get started on his new challenge.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Nottingham Forest,” he said. ”I’ve had time away from the game and now feel refreshed and ready to go.
“The fact that a club of Forest’s magnitude has offered me a job excites me greatly, it’s a wonderful opportunity.
“I can’t wait to get started and I’m looking forward to meeting the players, talking to them and taking my first training session.”
