Sean O’Driscoll appointed manager
On this day in Nottingham Forest history in 2012 Forest appoint Sean O’Driscoll as manager.
Sean O’Driscoll became Nottingham Forest manager during the first weeks of the Al-Hasawi ownership era.
His appointment followed Steve Cotterill’s dismissal and gave the new owners their first major football decision. O’Driscoll had previously worked at Forest as a first-team coach, which gave the move some continuity despite the wider sense of change around the club.
His spell brought some promise rather than collapse. Forest were competitive in the Championship, and O’Driscoll oversaw 26 matches before his time ended on Boxing Day. The dismissal felt especially sudden because it came after a 4-2 win over Leeds United.
The reason given was not simply results. Fawaz Al-Hasawi later pointed to advice that Forest needed a manager with Premier League experience to push for promotion, and O’Driscoll was removed despite the side still being close to the play-off places.
For supporters, the appointment remains tied to that unsettled first Al-Hasawi summer. O’Driscoll’s time in charge was short, but his exit showed how quickly the new ownership was prepared to change direction in search of a Premier League return.
Sources
The Guardian; ITV Central; Sky News
Forest timeline
Explore more Nottingham Forest history
Browse the timeline to discover more events from this day and beyond:
0–2
3–0
1–1
1–2
4–1
1–0
1–0
2–1
2–0
0–1
0–2
2–2
0–0
1–2
0–1
14:00
16:30
20:00
15:00
17:30
15:00
20:00
20:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
16:30
19:30
15:00
19:30
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
20:00
15:00
15:00
20:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
15:00
16:00
Roy Keane’s departure to Manchester United was one of the defining transfer moments after Nottingham Forest’s relegation from the Premier League. The midfielder left…
Sean O’Driscoll became Nottingham Forest manager during the first weeks of the Al-Hasawi ownership era. His appointment followed Steve Cotterill’s dismissal and gave the…