The Frenchman also spoke to RC Lens and AEK Athens this summer.
Nottingham Forest appointed their new manager earlier this summer, with Philippe Montanier taking over permanently from Dougie Freedman – who had been sacked in March.
The appointment of the Frenchman was certainly an impressive one from the club, considering his notable CV with the likes of Rennes and Real Sociedad present.
He certainly had other offers and this week he confirmed he had spoken to French side RC Lens and Greek side AEK Athens this summer, prior to his Forest agreement.
Talking to France Football he explained why he decided that Forest was the right place to go:
“Yes, I had developed contacts with these two teams.
“I was very well received, but it did not meet my expectations. Unlike Nottingham, even though they are in the Championship.”
The City Ground
Forest fans will of course be hoping that their new manager, their first ever foreign boss, can have a similar impact to the one had at Middlesbrough by Aitor Karanka or at Sheffield Wednesday by Carlos Carvalhal – as the Championship is also littered with plenty of poor appointments from abroad over the years.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal celebrates after the game
Montanier however has the experience and knows the history of the club well enough to realise the importance of his job at the City Ground.
Hopefully the club can string together some promotion form.
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