Fawaz Al-Hasawi wants Nottingham Forest to copy Brighton and Hove Albion’s turnaround.
Nottingham Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi
Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi has told talkSPORT that he wants to see the club copy Brighton and Hove Albion’s turnaround under Chris Hughton.
Forest today announced that Warburton has been appointed as their latest manager, arriving immediately to replace Gary Brazil, who has been serving as the club’s interim boss since Philippe Montanier’s exit in January.
Warburton is making a swift return to management having only left Rangers in February, with David Weir – his assistant at Ibrox – following him to the City Ground in the same role.
Whilst Warburton left Rangers in acrimonious circumstances, he did lead the Gers to promotion from the second tier last season, as well as taking them to the Scottish Cup final against Hibernian in 2016.
Before that, Warburton won promotion to the Championship with Brentford and immediately took the Bees to the play-offs, before leaving Griffin Park and heading to Glasgow with Rangers.
Warburton’s managerial career has largely been impressive, and he’s now faced with a big task given that Forest currently lie just two points clear of the relegation zone.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton during the match
Ahead of his first game in charge against Derby County this weekend, Forest owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi has spoken to talkSPORT about the move to land Warburton, stating that he is a proven manager who knows exactly what he is doing.
Al-Hasawi added that he wants Forest to copy Brighton’s turnaround under Chris Hughton, as he has has turned the Seagulls into promotion contenders having inherited a struggling side after Sami Hyypia’s exit in 2014.
“Mark Warburton is a proven manager,” said Al-Hasawi. “He did an amazing job with Brentford and also with Glasgow Rangers. We have been aiming for him for a long time, but we couldn’t get him because he was with other clubs. I wish he can move the club forward. He knows what he is doing, he knows how to deal with players, he knows the Championship, he is experienced, a proven manager.”
“I know we will stay safe this season and then we will try to put things together so we can come on again. Two, three years ago Brighton were in the same positon, almost at the bottom, and then they changed the manager and they stayed safe. Now look at them – they are top of the league. We are trying to do the same, to get the right manager and move forward,” he added.
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