Martin O’Neill set to be appointed Nottingham Forest manager

Mon, 14 Jan, 2019 - 11:40

Martin O’Neill is poised to be named Nottingham Forest manager, Press Association Sport understands.

The 66-year-old left his role as Republic of Ireland boss in November and is now set to succeed Aitor Karanka at the City Ground.

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Roy Keane, right, could link up with Martin O’Neill at the City Ground (Tim Goode/PA)

Negotiations are at an advanced stage for O’Neill to be named as boss.

There is no news yet whether Roy Keane, the former Forest midfielder who assisted O’Neill with Ireland, will also be moving to the City Ground.

O’Neill was a midfielder for Brian Clough’s continental conquering team which won the 1977-78 English title and then back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Clough managed Forest from 1975 to 1993.

Martin O’Neill, left, won the 1977-78 English Championship with Nottingham Forest under manager Brian Clough and and his assistant Peter Taylor (PA)

Forest are ninth in the Championship, four points behind local rivals Derby, who occupy the final play-off spot, and lost 2-0 at Reading on Saturday.

Simon Ireland was in caretaker charge for the Reading game, but it appears likely to be his only match in the hotseat, with O’Neill set to arrive ahead of Saturday’s Championship clash at home to Bristol City.

He is poised to become Forest’s 11th full-time boss since 2011.- Press Association