O’NEILL’S PREMIER PLAN

He vows to bring back the magic

He jumped at the chance to return to the club where he enjoyed legendary status as a player in Forest’s great teams of the late 70s and early 80s. O’Neill was a midfielder for Brian Clough’s all-conquering Forest team which won the 1977-78 First Division title and then back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980 along with two League Cups.

He represented Forest for a decade, making 371 appearances.

As a manager he enjoyed success with Wycombe, Leicester and Celtic before steering Aston Villa to three successive sixth-place Premier League finishes. He left his role as Ireland boss in November.

He recently said: “I think you always have to have that mindset that you have a point to prove until the very last day of your existence. I will back myself in whatever job I take.” O’Neill becomes the club’s 11th full-time manager since 2011 and his first game in charge will be at home against fellow Championship play-off hopefuls Bristol City on Saturday.

It’s a romantic return for O’Neill who has been told to “make the miracle happen again” and that only a return to the big time will do.

Former team-mate Peter Shilton said: “He’s a very good choice. He knows the club well and was part of our great team who won so many trophies.”

Ex-Forest midfielder John McGovern said: “I am delighted. His track record in management is magnificent.

“Forest is a plum job. He’s a very strong character and I think he’s the ideal choice.”