Alex McLeish appointed Nottingham Forest manager

Nottingham Forest have confirmed Alex McLeish as their new manager after sacking Sean O’Driscoll earlier this week.

The City Ground club brought an end to O’Driscoll’s reign in the wake of Wednesday’s 4-2 victory over Leeds, and have named McLeish as his replacement.

McLeish, 53, will begin work immediately – conducting the club’s training sessions on Friday and taking charge of his first game in the home clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Nottingham Forest,” McLeish told Forest’s website. “I’ve had time away from the game and now feel refreshed and ready to go.

“The fact that a club of Forest’s magnitude has offered me a job excites me greatly – it’s a wonderful opportunity.

“I can’t wait to get started and I’m looking forward to meeting the players, talking to them and taking my first training session.”

Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi added: “I’m delighted to welcome Alex to our Club and look forward to working with him.

“Alex took Birmingham to promotion from the Championship and has great experience of working in the Premier League.

“He’s hungry for more success and I believe he’s the man who can help us fulfil our ambition of making it to the Premier League.”

The Scot, who in addition to Birmingham has previously managed Rangers and the Scottish national team, has been out of work since May, when he had his contract as Aston Villa boss terminated.

Prior to the Boxing Day victory over Leeds, Forest had won just once in their last five – but are now just a point shy of the play-offs with less than half of the Championship season remaining.