FORMER Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill has been confirmed as the new manager of Nottingham Forest.
The 66-year-old club legend made 371 appearances for Forest from 1971 to 1981, winning back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough.
The Derry native left his role as Ireland manager in November and takes charge following the recent exit of Aitor Karanka.
Forest are ninth in the Championship, four points below the play-off places.
O'Neill's first game in charge will be at home against fellow play-off hopefuls Bristol City on Saturday.
🏠 #WelcomeHomeMartin #NFFC pic.twitter.com/xlRUY2gLMd
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) 15 January 2019
The length of the former Celtic, Aston Villa and Leicester manager's contract has not been disclosed.
O'Neill guided the Republic to the last 16 of the 2016 European Championships during his five years in charge, but departed two months ago following a slew of underwhelming performances and controversies surrounding his assistant Roy Keane.
There is no confirmation yet as to whether Keane - another former Forest player - will join O'Neill at the City Ground.
However, various media reports indicate that O’Neill is hoping to bring several members of his Ireland backroom staff with him, including Manchester United legend Keane.
Regardless of who he brings in, O'Neill faces an uphill task at Forest - with seven managers leaving the club in the past three years.
The ex-Northern Ireland international will be tasked with securing a play-off spot in Forest's remaining 19 games of the 2018/2019 season.
