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O'Driscoll returns as boss of Nottingham Forest

Forest are hoping to return to glory days © PA Photos

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Nottingham Forest have appointed Sean O'Driscoll as the club's new manager.

O'Driscoll, who had been on the Forest coaching staff for the second half of the 2011-12 season, leaves Crawley Town having only taken charge in May.

Steve Cotterill, sacked following the recent Kuwaiti takeover at the City Ground, had appointed O'Driscoll in January to act as first-team coach, but the former Doncaster and Bournemouth boss decided to return to management with Crawley.

However, with Cotterill's exit leaving the top job open, O'Driscoll accepted the chance to return to the Championship club.

Forest had seen expressions of interest from several big names, including former England managers Sven-Goran Eriksson and Glenn Hoddle, but majority shareholder Fawaz Al Hasawi told the club's official website: "We interviewed many well-known and high profile figures but none of them impressed us as much as Sean O'Driscoll.

"Sean's passion for Nottingham Forest, knowledge of the game and the Championship in particular, plus his work ethic, shone through in our conversations. He is hugely respected, not only by members of our current squad and staff at the club for his work in helping transform our fortunes last season, but also within the wider football community.

"We are delighted to welcome Sean back to the club. He has our total support and we are looking forward to a long and successful relationship."

Crawley, unhappy to have lost their new manager, have appointed director of football Steve Coppell and head coach Craig Brewster as caretakers.

Chief executive Alan Williams said: "The club is extremely disappointed to be losing Sean so soon after he came to Crawley Town, but our policy has never been to stand in the way of any employee who feels they would prefer to pursue a role at a different club and following lengthy and intensive negotiations we have been able to agree compensation with Nottingham Forest which will include a friendly before the 2013-14 season at the City Ground.

"We would like to thank Sean for his efforts during his time at the club and we wish him all the best for the future.

"Crawley Town will now began its search for a new manager, but in the meantime director of football Steve Coppell and head coach Craig Brewster will take over first-team management, starting with the friendly against Peterborough at the Broadfield Stadium on Saturday."

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