Nottingham Forest appoint former player Martin O'Neill as manager

Martin O'Neill has been named 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 under Brian Clough.

The club statement on Tuesday morning said O'Neill 'is finally realising a life-long dream in managing his beloved Nottingham Forest.'

The statement read: 'One of the original and most-loved "Miracle Men", Martin is finally realising a life-long dream in managing his beloved Nottingham Forest.

'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.'

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 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, and it remains to be seen how quickly he can re-calibrate to the ferocious pace of the Championship.

Marinakis was persuaded to give O'Neill the chance after he greatly impressed during the interview process with his enthusiasm for the position.

He takes over with Forest in ninth, four points off the play-off places, and there is conviction his motivational style will work. 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 over the weekend and an agreement reached on Monday. The contract is believed to be for 18 months.

Slavisa Jokanovic was also under consideration and had been sounded out - with Carlos Carvalhal another candidate - but Marinakis instead 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 two European Cups, the First Division title, and two League Cups.

As a manager O'Neill earned promotion to the Premier League with Leicester, winning two League Cups, and claimed seven trophies in charge of Celtic. He also led Aston Villa to consistent top-six finishes.

O'Neill took Ireland to the knock-out stages of Euro 2016 but more recently was heavily criticised for the team's style of play, before departing two months ago.

He takes over a talented Championship squad which Marinakis believes is equipped to mount a serious promotion challenge. The Greek businessman is ready to commit more funds in his bid to reach the top-flight after a £25million summer spend.