The Guardian have reported in an exclusive that Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Martin O’Neill just five months after he took over at the City Ground, and already have a replacement lined up.
O’Neill, 67, has left the club, 38 years after leaving Forest as a player in 1981. He struggled in his short spell at the club, winning just eight of 19 games in charge and losing the same amount.
It is reported that a number of key Forest players have lost confidence in the former Ireland, Aston Villa and Leicester City manager. Indeed, some have turned against O’Neill, after Keane left the club last week.
The report also states that Forest have lined up a replacement in Sabri Lamouchi, a former France international who has managed the Ivory Coast, Qatari-based side El-Jaish and most recently Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.
TBR’s view
The timing is interesting. O’Neill will have drawn up targets and started pre-season training, only to be sacked within the first days of doing just that.
Now, Forest must undergo the procedure of adding a new manager, which will take time and could cost the Championship club in the transfer market and on the training ground.
If Forest owners are wise, they will appoint a replacement as soon as possible.
