Nottingham Forest boss Martin O’Neill has admitted that it hasn’t quite sunk in yet the feeling of returning to the City Ground to manage the football club.  

O’Neill enjoyed a superb spell with Forest during his playing career, winning two European Cups and various domestic titles in a 10-year spell.

Now, following the club’s decision to remove Aitor Karanka from his post as manager, O’Neill has returned to manage Forest for the first time.

The former Republic of Ireland coach, 66, was appointed on Tuesday, before facing the press for the first time this afternoon, when he issued an emotional message on returning to the City Ground.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, it happened so quickly. It goes without saying that it is a privilege and an honour to be manager of this club,” he told Forest’s official media.

O’Neill inherits a multi-million pound squad at the City Ground, after Karanka oversaw a huge summer of investment that included club-record signing, Joao Carvalho.

However, Forest are underachieving and sit adrift of the play-off race, with O’Neill the man tasked with putting things back on track after a difficult run of results.

First up for the new Forest boss is a clash with Bristol City at the City Ground this weekend.

The Verdict  

O’Neill has a real connection with Forest and he will have enjoyed some of his best days in football at the City Ground.

Of course, returning will be emotional for him and right now, he will still be adapting to the surroundings.

However, the Championship is relentless and he needs to hit the ground running, full focus needs to be switching to the weekend.

Thoughts? Let us know!