Alex McLeish has been appointed the new manager of Nottingham Forest.

Alex McLeish has been appointed the new manager of Nottingham Forest.

The former Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Scotland boss replaces Sean O'Driscoll, who was sacked on 26 December after five months in charge.

"I believe he's the man who can help us fulfil our ambition of making it to the Premier League," said Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi.

McLeish said: "The fact a club of Forest's magnitude has offered me a job excites me greatly."

The Scot, 53, has been out of football since being sacked by Villa at the end of last season after 11 months at the helm.

"I've had time away from the game and now feel refreshed and ready to go," he added.

"I can't wait to get started and I'm looking forward to meeting the players, talking to them and taking my first training session."

A statement on Forest's website said: "The 53-year-old Scot will begin work at the City Ground tomorrow (Friday) and will be in charge for Saturday's home game against Crystal Palace."

McLeish takes over Forest with them in eighth place, having collected 36 points from 24 games.

"I'm delighted to welcome Alex to our Club and look forward to working with him," added Al Hasawi.

"Alex took Birmingham to promotion from the Championship and has great experience of working in the Premier League."

Forest will hold a news conference on Friday to officially unveil McLeish as their new manager.

O'Driscoll, 55, was relieved of his duties hours after a 4-2 Championship win against Leeds.

Al Hasawi later added on his Twitter account: "Made contact with PL manager tonight. Meeting Thursday."

He had earlier declared that Forest would be "looking to bring in an ambitious manager with Premier League experience", stating that "with the January transfer window approaching, we feel it's the right time to make a change".

Quite a few of my friends on Facebook are up in arms with this, I personally don't see how it makes sense but will add spice in January. I doubt very much that they will spend much money, I bet they'll sign loans but nobody knows what's going on there. It's a strange time for them!

Don't really understand the reasoning here,can only think it has something to do with the transfer window looming.

Don't really understand the reasoning here,can only think it has something to do with the transfer window looming.

It was mentioned on East Midlands today that they wanted to 'Back' the manager in the transfer window and wanted the right person, though I personally think the previous manager turned them from under-performing into a side that rode it's luck half the time. Their squad isn't exactly bursting, they've lost most of their best players like Anderson. Camp is rumoured to be leaving too, so I don't see how their chairman can expect instant success.

Alex mcleishs style of football is boring they will do well 2 finish top half of table this season they only doing ok coz of billy sharp anyway and hes 2 good for them

Clueless, most likely a publicity stunt.

It's been mentioned on Sky too much for my liking, their chairman doesn't seem to be very supportive. Back fire? I don't see it working.

It surprised me!

I read the score, thinking it was because Forest had lost 4-2. I couldn't understand why a manager would be sacked for doing well, so my eyes wouldn't accept it. They should of given the previous manager more time, back him with money which I don't see happening.

it seems rather silly sacking after winning...i can only assume that this has been totally pre-arranged! i am personally not a fan of McLeish. But this appointment should make January interesting!

it's joke, he may get them up but he will bring them back down. the media are clowns for making it such a big story, wasnt worth mentioning over and over.

definitely agree about the media blowing smoke up his butt.... hes not that wonderful!