Martin O'Neill appointed Nottingham Forest manager

Nottingham Forest have named Martin O'Neill as their new manager.

The 66-year-old, a former Forest player who won two European Cups at the City Ground, replaces Aitor Karanka in the job after the Spaniard's departure last week.

O'Neill becomes the club's 11th full-time boss since 2011 and his first game in charge is likely to be at home against fellow Championship play-off hopefuls Bristol City on Saturday.

There is no news yet on whether Roy Keane, the former Forest midfielder who assisted O'Neill during his five years as Republic of Ireland manager, will also be returning to the club.

O'Neill was a midfielder for Brian Clough's continental conquering Forest team which won the 1977-78 English title and then back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Clough managed Forest from 1975 to 1993.

Irishman O'Neill enjoyed success with Wycombe, Leicester and Celtic as a manager, before less fruitful spells with Aston Villa and Sunderland. He left his role as Ireland boss in November.

Forest are ninth in the Championship table, four points behind local rivals Derby, who occupy the final play-off spot, and lost 2-0 at Reading on Saturday.

Simon Ireland was in caretaker charge for the game at the Madejski Stadium.