Having been appointed by Nottingham Forest to lead a promotion charge for the club, Martin O'Neill's first few months in charge had to be considered an abject failure. His side would finish in ninth place in the table, a good eight points off the promotion places.
While many had expected he would be given another full season to try and improve upon that showing, it appears he will not be afforded such a luxury.
Daniel Taylor of The Guardian is reporting that O'Neill has been sacked by Nottingham Forest. A number of key players at the club have apparently turned against him at the club, making his position untenable.
#NFFC can confirm that manager Martin O’Neill has left the club.https://t.co/CrN1hQwQYh
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) June 28, 2019
Some breaking news: Martin O'Neill has lost his job at Nottingham Forest. A number of key players have increasingly turned against him. It's reached the top of the club and I'm told he's been sacked, five months since taking job #NFFC
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) June 28, 2019
#NFFC want quick appointment to minimise disruption. The name I've heard is Sabri Lamouchi, a Frenchman (client of Jorge Mendes) who has previously managed Rennes and the Ivory Coast national team. More to follow @guardian_sport
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) June 28, 2019
O'Neill follows Roy Keane in leaving the club, who left his role as assistant manager earlier this week. It had been reported that Keane left in search of a position as a number one, but O'Neill's sacking may paint somewhat of a different light on the argument.
He enjoyed great success with the club as a player, winning consecutive European Cups in 1979 and 1980. It had been hoped that his connection with the club would bring about instant results, but that did not prove to be the case.
His lacklustre style of play quickly grew old for Nottingham Forest supporters, a development that would not have come as any great surprise to those who followed his time as Ireland manager.
When O'Neill was appointed, many members of the British media were quick to praise the announcement. They also questioned Irish fans who criticised the former Celtic manager for his failure to get the best out of the international side, claiming he did not have the players to work with.
Five months on, and with identical problems having reared their head at Forest, it will be interesting to see if those same commentators have changed their tune.
Forest acted quickly in recruiting his successor, announcing the appointment of Sabri Lamouchi only 18 minutes after O'Neill's departure had been confirmed.
#NFFC are delighted to announce that Sabri Lamouchi has been appointed as the club’s new head coach.https://t.co/ZvqVXabJwy
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) June 28, 2019
