Monday 8 January 2018 22:11, UK
Aitor Karanka has been appointed as Nottingham Forest's new manager on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The Spaniard returns to management for the first time since his sacking as head coach of Championship counterparts Middlesbrough in March 2017.
Karanka replaces Mark Warburton, who was sacked by Forest on New Year's Eve after nine months in charge, and under Gary Brazil's interim tenure Forest knocked out FA Cup holders Arsenal in the third round on Sunday.
"We are very pleased to have reached terms with Aitor Karanka to become the manager of Nottingham Forest," said Nicholas Randall QC, Nottingham Forest chairman.
"He is an exceptional candidate who fully subscribes to the vision of the club's owners and Board for the future of the club"
"Our objective is clear: we want to continue building this fantastic football club and lead it to a bright future. The wonderful supporters of the club deserve success and a return to the Premier League.
"We are all working hard off the pitch to achieve this goal and we believe that Aitor will ensure that we can get the job done on the field of play.
"I want to thank Gary Brazil, his staff and the players for their professionalism and loyalty in the last few days. In particular, the performance against Arsenal was truly outstanding and shows the potential of this fantastic club."
Karanka, Real Madrid's former assistant manager - where he worked under Jose Mourinho, will begin his tenure with a Championship meeting against Aston Villa at home on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football.
Sky Sports News understands Karanka will return to England from Spain on Tuesday and will meet with the Forest squad for the first time on Wednesday.
Forest sit 14th in the Championship, 11 points off the play-off spots and last secured victory in the league against Bolton on December 9.
The former Middlesbrough manager was in charge at the Riverside Stadium for three and a half years and led Boro to the Premier League for the first time in seven years in May 2016.
However, the 44-year-old was dismissed after the club suffered a run of 10 matches without victory which left the Teeside club in the relegation zone.
