Aitor Karanka says he has “very good memories” from his time at Nottingham Forest, as he prepares to return to his old club.
But he wishes Reds fans were able to be at the City Ground on Boxing Day, when his Birmingham City team make the trip to Trentside.
Karanka spent little more than a year in charge of the Reds, from January 2018 until January the following year.
The Spaniard says there is no room for sentiment at his old stomping ground, however, as both sides target three points.
“I know a lot of people who are there,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“I was there for just one year, but I have very good memories of the players, the club, the crowd, the city.
“It was just one year, but now it’s a game I have to try to win because we need three points - they also need the win.
“Let’s see what happens, but I’m here now and it’s a game I’m trying to win, of course.”
Both Forest and the Blues find themselves at the wrong end of the Championship table going into the match.
Chris Hughton’s side are 20th, one point above the relegation zone, while their opponents are five points and three places above them.
Fixtures at the City Ground continue to take place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
And Karanka says he would have loved the chance to see Reds supporters again.
“It’s a shame because I’d loved to have seen the crowd there and to have been there with them,” he said.
"It’s difficult for everybody, so it’s just to see the people who I was with when I was there because I have a very good memory of them.”
