Nottingham Forest have identified Moreirense manager Ivo Vieira as a potential replacement for manager Martin O'Neill, it has been reported.

The 43-year-old has guided the minnows to an impressive fifth place in the Portuguese top flight this season, with that success reportedly drawing interest from The City Ground.

According to Portuguese publication A Bola, Forest are tracking the progress of Vieira as they consider a potential replacement for O'Neill.

It is also claimed that Vieira, who has never managed outside of Portugal in his eight year managerial career, could be tempted by a move abroad.

A number of Forest's squad are Portuguese natives, with Tobias Figueiredo; Diogo Goncalves and Joao Carvalho - who is expected to be a key figure in Forest's potential promotion push next season, all hailing from the Iberian nation.

Since taking charge of the club where he spent ten years of his playing career in January, O'Neill has won eight and lost eight of his 19 games in charge of Forest, although he did end the Championship season with three straight wins.

The verdict

At any other club, the way O'Neill ended the season may have given him a chance to prove himself at the start of next season, but the way that Forest have operated recently means that is far less certain.

If they are to replace O'Neill, then Portugal may not be the worst place to look, given the importance getting the best out of Carvalho could be to any potential promotion push next season.