By David Lee Wheatley
Nottingham Forest cult hero Stuart Pearce has agreed to take over as their next manager, effective from July 1st. It heralds the beginning of a new era at the City Ground following the abrupt end of Billy Davies' second spell in charge at a club desperate for a return to the glory days of yore.
It was widely hoped that Davies would be capable of delivering promotion this campaign, but an eight-game winless streak left their season in danger of falling apart and led to the fiery Scot's dismissal.
The Reds sit one place and two points adrift of a play-off spot with seven matches left to play and caretaker boss Gary Brazil will feel an opportunity remains to make it to the promised land of the Premier League. Whether they're ready for such an elevation on the field of play is debatable, but off the pitch it would certainly give the club's coffers a massive shot in the arm as debts continue to mount.
Whatever division in which Pearce eventually takes charge come this summer, it appears a huge challenge for 'Psycho' to bring back the good times to a city starved of top-flight football for 15 years.
Memories of the awesome side which achieved successive European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980 loom large over every manager who takes on the unenviable task of bossing Forest and it'll be no different for Pearce, despite his 12 years sterling service as a player there. Could he be the one who finally bucks the trend and consigns the ghost of Brian Clough to the history books once and for all?
His record in club management hardly inspires confidence, with a two-year spell at Manchester City starting out impressively before quickly descending into a nightmare prior to his sacking. Pearce also had a short time filling in as Forest caretaker manager in 1997, but he chose to leave in order to continue his playing career with Newcastle United instead of taking on the role full-time.
However, it was while in charge of the England U21 team that he set about constructing a fine coaching reputation during six years leading the young Lions, with a zenith reached when taking the side all the way to the 2009 European Championship final. His success at that level also encouraged then national team head coach Fabio Capello to include Pearce in preparations for the senior squad. Finally, he was handed the unique chance to coach Team GB at the 2012 Olympics and also enjoyed one match as caretaker with the senior team during the interim period between an unsavoury crumbling of the largely troubled Capello reign and the signing of current incumbent Roy Hodgson.
Pearce has successfully shed the whole 'Psycho' image during his time in coaching, while putting himself in the frame for many sought-after roles thanks to his exploits within the England set-up. Additionally, he knows Nottingham Forest better than anyone and that inside knowledge, coupled with an abiding bond with supporters, will stand him in good stead once he officially arrives to begin the job of rebuilding the team from the ground up.
Huge stock is placed on the academy production line in the eyes of the 51-year-old Londoner and a significant aim of his will be to develop a clutch of top footballers who come through the system to then flourish in the first-team. Allied to that belief in youth, there'll be an urgent requirement to bolster the squad with more experienced stars no matter which league Forest feature in next season. The former left-back will need a separate plan for each eventuality, thus making it essential to instigate a double-pronged search for potential transfer targets that would suit either division.
Despite initially turning down the chance to take over at the City Ground with seven games to go, it proved too great a pull to ensconce himself back at his old stomping ground once the focus of talks shifted towards a summer start date. Pearce admitted he had too much on his plate currently, but the renegotiated offer sounded just right for a man who has never been one to shirk a challenge.
"By the time I've finished with management – and hopefully that will be a number of years yet – if ever I felt I had the opportunity to join this great club and turned it down, that I had never walked through those doors as manager, I don't think I would not be totally fulfilled," he proclaimed when introduced to the press.
"I am happy to lead that kind of challenge. I want to galvanise this club and drive it forwards."
If Pearce is afforded the time in which to realise his exalted ambitions for the future of the club, then fans of a true 'sleeping giant' of English football may well find it eminently possible to look ahead with a much brighter outlook after several years of torment.
Twitter: @davewh1980
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