Martin O'Neill is poised to become the new Nottingham Forest manager in an emotional return to the City Ground for the 66-year-old.
Forest chiefs have gone with a romantic choice to succeed Aitor Karanka, 40 seasons after O'Neill helped win the club's first European Cup.
O'Neill has been out of work since leaving his role in charge of Republic of Ireland in November, and is seen by owner Evangelos Marinakis as the inspirational figure to reinvigorate a promotion push.
It is unclear at this stage if Roy Keane will join as assistant, although it is considered possible after the pair worked together with Ireland for five years. Keane has his own history with Forest of course, playing under Brian Clough between 1990 and 1993.
It will be O'Neill's first job in club management since being sacked at Sunderland in March 2013, with the side one point above the Premier League relegation zone. He takes over with Forest in ninth, four points off the play-off places.
Forest wanted to replace Karanka swiftly and the 2-0 loss to Reading hastened the process. Talks were conducted with O'Neill in London and Birmingham and an agreement reached quickly.
Slavisa Jokanovic and Carlos Carvalhal were also under consideration but Marinakis has selected O'Neill, with his bond to the club a compelling factor.
O'Neill spent a decade as a player at the City Ground, winning the two European Cups, the First Division title, and two League Cups.
horse
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For O'Neill read Jose. out of touch with the modern game. As a Forest diehard I hope I'm wrong but it feels a decade too late.
CdKeyb
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Unlucky, Forest. Never mind, in a year or two you can change him again.
patrhave
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One of the best players we ever had at Forest. I was there when he was playing. He can't be any worse than some of our previous managers.
Georgiana
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O'Neil and Keano back at Forest, what a return that would be!
Luclike
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I feel that this appointment is about 15 years too late
posilios
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Forest don`t give their managers long enough, just outside the playoffs and they sack their manager, ridiculous.
ponderous
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Hoping for the best,but not sure he's kept up with the modern game
ourselvef
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Good luck Saint Martin
Julylove
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Forest is a club that should be in the premier league, two time European cup winners shame to see them languishing in the championship
oldestde
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Roy Keane returns to Forest as his assistant!?!
meadow
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Bad move. Did nothing for Ireland and his football style is dated.
Jessieluse
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Forest owners have no idea what they're doing, do they?
aozao
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What a strange appointment. With all the attacking players Forest have I though they were going to get some sexy foreigner in, especially following Karanka’s dour football.
bespeak
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When was the last time he did a good job somewhere?
Yuewsesber
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Must have bet the club on relegation.
osakalim
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I can't help but feel he's one of those managers that modern football has passed by. Still love him and hope he does well.
yummyy
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Cyrus Christie and James McClean to be signed up now
basically
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Oh dear God no. Jokanovic or bust, this isn't an improvement over Karanka.
bespeak
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Enjoy this forest fans. He’ll do well for you early on but he’s not a long term option (ie I wouldn’t want him for longer than a season). I wonder if you guys will get to enjoy Roy??
osoniouk
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Really can't see this working out unfortunately.
likee
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Is Lewis Grabban good in the air? Because he'll need to be under O'Neill's style of "launch it and pray"
gooljust
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Don't let him near the transfer kitty...
Lisajust
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Commiserations to Forest fans.. Caveman football.
ausoga
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Club legend going home, I guess
inkabisst
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Is Roy Keane is gonna follow him there?
goola
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Wow that's unexpected, thought they'd be after Jokanovic. Hiring club legends is the way forward!!
Tim5533
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I mean I love the man, but this is a step backwards from Aitor