Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid has departed the national team in favour of a move to old club Nottingham Forest.
The Football Association of Ireland issued the news on Monday, wishing Reid well in the transition to full-time coach of the ‘Forest U23s. He’s been working with the club again since January 2020, coaching the club’s academy players whil
Reid most recently served as Ireland U18s head coach, a post he’s held since March 2019. Prior to that he worked as coach to the squad under current Irish U21 boss Jim Crawford.
“It is with great regret that I am leaving this position but the opportunity to work full-time at Forest was just too good to turn down,” Reid told FAI.ie.
“I want to thank the FAI for appointing me to the U18 international job last year. I enjoyed every minute of it and I know the experience will stand to me for the rest of my career.”
“I would especially like to thank the FAI’s High-Performance Director Ruud Dokter and his staff and the Coach-Education Department for all their support. Finally, I would like to wish all the players well. We didn’t get a lot of time together because of the COVID-19 pandemic but I know how much playing for their country means to every one of them and I look forward to seeing them in the green jersey again in the future.”
Statement: @NFFC @FAIreland pic.twitter.com/tybo4S37BG
— Andy Reid (@AndyReidXI) January 18, 2021
All roads lead to the City Ground
The move sees Reid return to the club where he both started and finished his professional footballing career.
The 38-year-old takes on the role having worked as caretaker manager of the U23s since last Autumn. Capped 29 times for Ireland, Reid made the big move from Cherry Orchard to Forest, racking up 14 appearances in his first full season at the club.
He would remain at Forest from November 2000 to the end of the 2004/5 season before embarking on a path that would take him to Tottenham, Charlton, Sunderland, Sheffield United, Blackpool and ultimately back to Forest for a further five seasons from 2011 before retiring as a player in 2016.
And how’s he getting on? Here’s Reid speaking about the progress of the U23s before Christmas.
