Now chance is here for O’neill to write fresh chapter of Reds glory

The Post’s Forest writer gives his views on return of a Reds favourite EMOTIONAL RETURN ON THE CARDS FOR FORMER MIDFIELDER WHO HELPED FOREST RULE IN EUROPE

IT is an opportunity that, only a few years ago, Martin O’neill admitted he feared had passed him by.

There are more than a few Nottingham Forest fans who might have felt the same way, with O’neill understood to have been close to making an emotional return to the City Ground more than once over the years, without it ever quite coming to fruition.

Brian Clough was regarded by many as being the best manager England never had. And, when O’neill’s stock was at its highest, there were more than a few who felt the same way about him and Forest.

There was a flirtation more than once, without it ever quite blossoming into a proper relationship. He was most recently on Forest’s radar prior to the appointment of Aitor Karanka.

But now we will get the chance to see how that union works out, after all.

In a 2013 interview with the Post, after being presented with a lifetime achievement award, O’neill was asked if he had any regrets about never having managed the club where he enjoyed such remarkable success under Clough, as a player.

“Life passes on, I had great days there as a player,” said O’neill.

“I am sure the opportunities to do that kind of thing are well passed by now.

“All I can say is good luck. I, along with all the other players from that era, have great affection for the club. It will always be our club.”

It was this passion and enthusiasm for Forest from O’neill that won over the Reds hierarchy.

Club owner Evangelos Marinakis is understood to have been impressed by his desire and determination to help lead the club back, not perhaps to former glories, but certainly back into the promised land of the Premier League, as a starting point.

As first reported in the Post a few weeks ago, O’neill was one of two managers, along with Slavisa Jokanovic, who were initially identified as potential replacements for Karanka, as the relationship with the Spaniard began to erode beyond the point of repair.

The club were not able to reach an agreement with the man who guided Watford and Fulham to promotion.

But further talks with O’neill over the last few days were hugely positive and will conclude with him being officially unveiled as the next Forest manager.

The return of the 66-year-old, born in Kilrea, Northern Ireland, will spark a sense of romance among the older generations of Forest fans, who saw him patrol the opposite side of the pitch to the legendary John Robertson, his long-time friend and assistant, in the side that secured historic glory under Clough.

Criticism of the style of play of his Republic of Ireland side, towards the end of his tenure as national manager, has seemingly prompted a sense of caution among some fans.

But it must also be remembered this was a willing group of Irish players who, while never lacking heart or character, were somewhat limited and O’neill still managed to lead them to the knockout stages of Euro 2016 and they only failed to reach the 2018 World Cup when beaten in a qualifying play-off by Denmark.

In this light, his time in charge of Ireland, in the circumstances, must be seen as a positive one overall. For long spells, he and Roy Keane - who could yet be part of O’neill’s backroom staff at the City Ground - had Ireland punching above their weight.

And there is no doubting his achievements in club management, where he guided both Wycombe Wanderers and Leicester City to promotion via the play-offs, before establishing the Foxes as a side that regularly finished in the top half of the Premier League table and twice won EFL Cups.

O’neill also managed Norwich City, Aston Villa and Sunderland and it was only in the north east with the club he had supported as a youngster - where things did not work out for him.