Championship promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest reportedly made former Fulham boss Jokanovic their top target to replace Aitor Karanka.
Martin O’Neill is already a legend at Nottingham Forest after winning two European Cups with the East Midlands outfit in 1979 and 1980. But the 66-year-old would be verging on deity status if he leads the club back to the Premier League from the dugout.
The Guardian reported on Monday that O’Neill is set for an emotional return to the City Ground to replace Aitor Karanka. It is understood that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been ‘blown away’ by the softly-spoken Irishman’s infectious energy and will to succeed at the club where he made his name.
But that does not mean O’Neill was Forest’s first choice.
Slavisa Jokanovic had been heavily linked with the post ever since Karanka’s position started to come under pressure. And, according to the Sun (15 January, page 53), Forest only turned to O’Neill after the former Fulham boss made it clear that he was not interested in taking over.
Jokanovic remains very highly-rated despite being sacked by Fulham in November, having led the Cottagers to the Premier League last season while playing arguably the most eye-catching football in the second tier.
But it seems that the Serb has no interest in returning to the dugout just yet having also turned down Stoke City before Nathan Jones was appointed to succeed Gary Rowett, as reported by Sky Sports.
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