Nottingham Forest appoint former Real Sociedad coach Montanier

Philippe Montanier's name has been linked with various clubs, among them Espanyol. However, the former Real Sociedad manager, among other clubs, will take over at Nottingham Forest. The English club confirmed the appointment on Monday, handing the French coach a two-year deal. 

Montanier was La Real manager for two seasons, from 2011 until 2013, and took the San Sebastian club into the Champions League at the end of his tenure. However, he left before leading them into Europe's top competition for Rennes, who he helped reached the French Cup final in 2014. He was sacked last January. 

Now he will have the opportunity to breathe life into a side that have been on the slide in recent years. Forest ended last season in the bottom half of the Championship and the challenge is to lead them into the Premier League. 

Among their honours, Forest boast two European Cups, which they won in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough. That brilliant past has little to do with their current situation, though.