Nottingham Forest’s search for their next manager has taken another twist with Uruguayan Gus Poyet having been appointed the head coach of Spanish club Real Betis according to the Nottingham Post.
The 47 year old former Brighton & Hove Albion and Sunderland boss had previously been strongly linked with the managerial vacancy at The City Ground but Poyet has now signed a two year contract with the La Liga club.
Poyet has spent this season managing in Greece with AEK Athens and the Uruguayan guided the club to second place in the Greek Superleague. Despite his success with the Dikefalos Aetos, Poyet had no desire to remain in Greece beyond the current campaign and announced his departure.
With Poyet set to become a free agent this summer, the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfield ace was one of the front runners for the Nottingham Forest manager’s job along with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill but today’s announcement by Real Betis means that Forest must consider other options.
Poyet started his managerial career at Brighton & Hove Albion in 2009 where he guided the club to promotion to the Championship. The Seagulls developed further under the Uruguayan and only Championship Play Off heartbreak denied the club a debut season in the Premier League. Poyet’s ambition and Championship experience could have been a huge asset to Nottingham Forest with the Midlands club aiming for an improved campaign next season.
