Forest job is nice surprise for Alex McLeish

ALEX McLEISH admits his appointment as Nottingham Forest boss was a whirlwind, but also a welcome surprise.

Sean O’Driscoll, only in the job five months, was given the boot by Forest’s Kuwaiti owners on Wednesday night, just hours after their 4-2 Boxing Day victory over Leeds had left them eighth in the npower Championship – just one point off the play-off places.

Chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi quickly stated he had made contact with a Premier League manager that evening and had planned a meeting for Thursday, with McLeish duly appointed last night and unveiled to the media this afternoon.

The Scot said: “It is a terrific opportunity to come to a club of Nottingham Forest’s magnitude. It is always nice to get a job (like this) because normally you are waiting on somebody maybe in a bit of difficulty. And it is not the case with this job. It looks an absolutely wonderful challenge for me.

“It has been a whirlwind and a surprise but a very welcome surprise.”

McLeish, 53, now takes up a 12-month rolling contract at The City Ground, but the reaction of Forest fans has not been one filled with joy.

“Winning games is obviously something that helps to get fans behind you,” he said.