NOTTINGHAM, England - Second-tier English club has hired former Birmingham and Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish, a day after firing Sean O'Driscoll.

Forest said on its website Thursday that McLeish will be in charge for Saturday's home game against Crystal Palace, and the club is hoping he can replicate his feat with Birmingham and lead the team to promotion to the Champions League.

Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi said McLeish is "hungry for more success and I believe he's the man who can help us fulfil our ambition of making it to the Premier League."

McLeish led Birmingham to the 2011 League Cup title, but left after the team was relegated that same season. He had a tough stint with archrival Aston Villa, where he was never accepted by the fans. He was fired in May after just avoiding relegation.

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