The Reds have appointed Martin O’Neill as their new manager, but the former Republic of Ireland international doesn’t think he will be suited to the job.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews has described Nottingham Forest’s appointment of Martin O’Neill as their new manager (official club website) as “strange” and “surprising”.
In addition, the 38-year-old said he expected the Reds to have made a move for Slavisa Jokanovic, suggesting that the former Fulham manager is more of a “natural fit” for the East Midlands side.
O’Neill, who played 371 games and won the European Cup as a Forest player, ended his five-year spell as Republic of Ireland boss last November and has taken over a Reds side ninth in the Championship, four points outside the playoff places.
The Forest job is the Northern Irishman’s first return to club management since his spell with Sunderland earlier this decade, which saw him guide the Black Cats away from relegation from the Premier League in his first season.
Andrews, who according to the Irish Independent was a vocal critic of O’Neill during the final year of his spell with the Irish national team, is not convinced whether the 66-year-old is in fact the right choice for the City Ground side, highlighting the apparent influence of the club hierarchy with regards to transfers and the team’s style of play.
“I find it strange, the appointment,” Andrews told the outlet. “I thought Jokanovic would have been more of a natural fit, coming from Fulham where in a similar sort of way they buy the players – rather than the manager – with a hands-on role. I gather [that] is what has gone on at Forest so I’m slightly surprised.
“He would be a traditional type of manager who wants to know exactly who the signings are… that’s something you would like to think would be sorted out before he puts his signature to the contract.”
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