On Monday 9 February 2004 Forest announced that Joe Kinnear was the first choice to be the new manager of Nottingham Forest, following the Sacking of Paul Hart two days previously.

On Tuesday 10 February the club announced that Joe had accepted the job, and the following morning he arrived at the City Ground to start what we all hope will be a long and successful time in charge of the club.

Joe was born in Dublin on 27 December 1946 and had a long and successful playing career which saw him make 258 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur (1965 - 1975) and 17 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion (1975 - 1977). He was capped 26 times for the Republic of Ireland (1967 - 1976).

During his playing career he picked up a few medals as well, including an F.A. Cup winner's medal (1967), League Cup winner's medals (1971 & 1973) and a UEFA Cup winner's medal (1972).

Joe was manager of Wimbledon from 1991 - 1999. In his time at the Dons Joe kept them in the Premiership, where he managed a highest finish of sixth place (1993-94). He also guided them to an F.A. Cup semi-final (1997) and two League Cup semi-finals. He quit Wimbledon in 1999 after suffering a heart attack.

With the return of his health Joe moved back into management with Luton town in 2001, where he arrived too late to stop the Hatters sliding into the Third Division. However, he guided them to automatic promotion the following season and was rewarded for his troubles with the sack after a boardroom takeover.

Update 16 December 2004

Joe Kinnear resigned on the 16 December 2004, six days after the 3 - 0 defeat to Derby County at Pride Park.