Forest have replaced Aitor Karanka with club legend Martin O’Neill.
David Prutton has told Love Sport Radio that he believes Nottingham Forest’s appointment of club legend Martin O’Neill is a bit of a “gamble”, but reckons the ex-Republic of Ireland manager will appease fans.
Forest parted company with Spanish boss Aitor Karanka last week after the former Middlesbrough manager asked to be released from his contract – despite Forest sitting in seventh place in the Championship.
The two-time European champions have since plummeted to ninth place and are now four points off the play-off places, after losing 2-0 to Reading on Saturday.
Former Forest midfielder Prutton – who began his career at the club and played over 150 times for Forest – described the appointment as “part gamble, part punt” but is also wary of O’Neill’s experience and record in management.
“He’ll instantly command respect in the dressing room,” Prutton said. “He comes across in a more measured way which will be different to what the squad have experienced under Karanka.
“With any managerial appointment, it’s part gamble, part punt. In terms of what the hierarchy have done, you can’t think for a minute that they haven’t got half an eye on trying to appease fans. But they’ll also notice what he’s done in his career.”
O’Neill was part of the side that won two consecutive European Cups, turning out for Forest for a decade between 1971 and 1981. He also helped Forest win the league in 1978-79 and the League Cup on two occasions.
The former Celtic, Aston Villa and Sunderland manager will take charge of his first game on Saturday afternoon, as Forest play host to Bristol City at the City Ground.
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