Roy Keane would relish opportunity to work with Martin O'Neill again, says Stuart Pearce
Former Republic assistant played for Forest in the 1990s
Wednesday 16 January 2019 12:25, UK
Roy Keane "would relish" the chance to team up again with new Nottingham Forest manager Martin O'Neill, according to Stuart Pearce.
Forest confirmed the appointment of O'Neill as their new boss on Tuesday, with the 66-year-old returning to the club he served with as a player following the departure of Aitor Karanka.
O'Neill had previously been in charge of the Republic of Ireland, with Keane - who also played for Forest - acting as his assistant.
And Pearce thinks his former Forest team-mate would jump at the opportunity to return to the City Ground.
"Roy has worked with him recently, I think that will be a decision based solely on what Martin wants, and whether the relationship worked, and whether Roy offers value to Martin. Only Martin knows that," Pearce told The Debate.
"Roy knows the club inside out, and I think he'd relish the opportunity to go and work with Martin again."
Pearce also believes that O'Neill, who played under Brian Clough during his Forest days and has gone on to enjoy notable managerial success himself, has the character to succeed in the role.
"I've spoken with managers who have gone in and got no connection with Forest, and sometimes the expectation weighs down at big clubs," he said. "It's one of those clubs, with a rich history of winning the biggest trophies.
"If you go in, you've got to handle walking down corridors and seeing Brian Clough on the walls. You've got to emulate and aspire to be at that level.
"Martin can. He's played for him, an outstanding manager, and a clever manager as well. He's the fit that Forest need at the moment."
