The triumphant return of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane last only five months
Martin O’Neill has ‘lost his job’ at Nottingham Forest.
On a day Forest launched their new home jersey for 2019/20, some altogether bigger news has swatted it aside.
But first, the jersey is a decent effort:
A closer look at the 2019-20 home shirt 👀🔴⚪️ #NFFC pic.twitter.com/tePSZNtZJL
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) June 28, 2019
Back to O’Neill’s short-lived stint at the club he won league and European Cup trophies with a player. Forest are said to have taken on-board the views of several senior players and moved O’Neill on so they can get a new boss and his coaching team in place for the 2019/20 season.
The news comes from the well-connected Guardian reporter Daniel Taylor, who has a steady record of calling many of Forest’s big, bold moves.
Some breaking news: Martin O'Neill has lost his job at Nottingham Forest. A number of key players have increasingly turned against him. It's reached the top of the club and I'm told he's been sacked, five months since taking job #NFFC
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) June 28, 2019
#NFFC want quick appointment to minimise disruption. The name I've heard is Sabri Lamouchi, a Frenchman (client of Jorge Mendes) who has previously managed Rennes and the Ivory Coast national team. More to follow @guardian_sport
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) June 28, 2019
Taylor beat Forest to the news.
15 minutes later, came the following statement from the club:
“Nottingham Forest can confirm that manager Martin O’Neill has left the club. The club would like to thank Martin for all his efforts during his time at The City Ground and wish him well for the future.”
There was talk of a player “mutiny”, not far off the dissatisfaction felt by many Irish players before the Derry native finished up as Republic of Ireland boss:
More: Forest forced into action due to alleged mutiny from the squad over O’Neill’s methods etc. Club felt they had to act in pre-season before matters got even worse #nffc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) June 28, 2019
Earlier this month, Roy Keane – his assistant at Ireland and then Forest – left the club. In a departing statement, Keane declared:
“Working with Martin over the last few years has been a magnificent experience, one of my greatest in football both as a player and a coach and one I want to personally thank him for.”
O’Neill is following him out the ‘Exit’ door soon after.
