Martin O'Neill - Nottingham Forest - A0, A1, A2 or A3 Greatest Ever Series Prints
We have planned a retro 'Name & Number' series to mirror the popular one of our promotion winning Forest team. Although he had a fractious relationship with Brian Clough Martin O'Neill was undoubtedly a Forest legend
Limited Edition of 250. Just 25 each of larger sizes. Custom wall vinyl option is also available - contact us for details!
A3 shipped in cardboard backed envelope. Larger sizes in rigid tubes.
Martin O’Neill is a name deeply tied to Nottingham Forest, particularly for his contributions during the club’s golden era in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As a player, O’Neill joined Forest in 1971 from Distillery in Northern Ireland. He became a key figure under the legendary manager Brian Clough, playing as a midfielder with a knack for work rate and flair. During his decade-long stint, he made over 370 appearances and was instrumental in Forest’s remarkable rise. The club won promotion to the First Division in 1977, then clinched the league title in 1978. The pinnacle came with back-to-back European Cup triumphs in 1979 (against Malmö) and 1980 (against Hamburg), where O’Neill played a significant role—though he was famously a substitute in the ’79 final due to injury recovery. These achievements made him a Forest legend, part of a team that defied the odds under Clough’s unconventional genius.
Fast forward to 2019, and O’Neill returned to Nottingham Forest, this time as manager. Appointed on January 15, he replaced Aitor Karanka with the team in ninth place in the Championship, four points off the playoffs. It was a homecoming laced with nostalgia, given his history, and fans hoped he’d channel some of that old Clough-era magic. His tenure started well—his first win came against Wigan Athletic (3-1) on January 26, and he notched eight victories in 19 games, including a notable 2-1 win over Brentford. But the season ended with Forest finishing ninth, eight points shy of the playoffs, a disappointing fade from contention.
By June 28, 2019, just over five months in, O’Neill was sacked. Reports pointed to a rift with senior players, who reportedly clashed with his “old-school” methods—think strict discipline and intense training, a contrast to modern player-driven dynamics. A specific incident often cited is a dressing-room row with Adlène Guedioura after a draw against Ipswich Town, which seemed to crystallize the discontent. The club acted swiftly, naming Sabri Lamouchi as his replacement within 18 minutes of the announcement. O’Neill’s win rate stood at 42%, decent on paper, but the lack of harmony and failure to push for promotion sealed his fate.
Since then, O’Neill’s relationship with Forest has soured. He’s openly expressed bitterness, notably saying on Talksport in 2023 that the club no longer holds a place in his heart—a stark shift for a two-time European Cup winner. He’s criticized the management, particularly owner Evangelos Marinakis and then-CEO Ioannis Vrentzos, claiming he felt undermined and that “player power” wasn’t the real reason for his exit. Instead, he’s suggested the decision came from above, not the dressing room. Despite this, he’s acknowledged Forest’s recent progress under Steve Cooper, even praising Marinakis’ ambition in 2025 interviews, though not without a dig at their personal discord.
O’Neill’s Forest story is a tale of two chapters: unbridled success as a player, undone by a brief, turbulent managerial spell. His playing legacy remains untouchable—those European nights are etched in history—but his 2019 return feels like a footnote, a reminder that past glory doesn’t always translate to present triumph.
