Martin O’Neill’s return to the City Ground was not the only homecoming Nottingham Forest fans were excited about when he was appointed manager in January.
Alongside O’Neill followed Roy Keane, teaming up once again after a five-year stint managing the Republic of Ireland national side.
Signed by Forest from Irish non-league club Cobh Ramblers in 1990, Keane established himself as a key player under Brian Clough, before a £3.75m move to Manchester United in 1993, which was a British transfer record at the time.
The Irishman played 114 times for the Reds, scoring 22 times before his career skyrocketed in the Premier League.
Why straight talking Roy Keane remains an important asset in the Nottingham Forest dressing room
Keane had soon established himself as a first-choice selection during his second season at the club, and by the end of the season he had won his first trophy as a professional as Manchester United retained their Premier League title.
During his United career, Keane won 17 trophies as a player including the Premier League seven times, the FA Cup four times and the Champions League on that famous night in Barcelona.
After retiring in 2006, Keane turned his attention to management and his first task was to take charge of Sunderland. After enduring a torrid start to the season, Keane replaced Niall Quinn after his temporary time as manager which turned their season around.
Keane’s no-nonsense approach boded well, and his team were getting results, slowly creeping up the table as the season progressed.
Most notably during his time at Sunderland, three players turned up late for their away trip to Barnsley and Keane simply left them behind.
Sunderland secured promotion to the Premier League that season, winning the title with Keane also scooping the Championship Manager of the Year award.
After leaving Sunderland in 2008, Keane took over as Ipswich manager a year later before Keane became O’Neill’s right-hand man with the Republic of Ireland national team.
In January 2019, Keane returned to where his career took flight and was brought in to aid the Reds’ push for promotion.
When joining the club as assistant manager Keane told the club website: "Obviously, I had great memories of my career here as a player, the club gave me my chance and I will always remember them for that.”
