Hart vows to return

Forest sack Hart Kinnear lands Forest post

Paul Hart wants to return to management in "the near future" after being sacked by Nottingham Forest.

Hart's dismissal came after a 14-game run without a win, with Forest dropping into the Division One relegation zone.

Before his sacking, Hart had been frequently linked with Leeds, one of his previous clubs and where he started out as a coach in youth development.

Hart said: "I hope to return to management in the near future. I enjoyed my time as manager of Forest."

Hart added: "I believe that during my time as manager, the club has progressed off the field and has recovered from a precarious financial position to one of stability.

"Although results this year have obviously been a major disappointment - and the reason for my departure from the club - I feel the club was making progress and moving forward.

I'd like to thank the staff, players and, in particular, the supporters for all the backing and encouragement I have received Paul Hart

"After going close to promotion in the play-offs last season, we were not able to significantly strengthen the squad which was obviously a hindrance.

"In fact, a steady list of players have left Nottingham Forest during my time in charge.

"We sold homegrown players such as Marlon Harewood, Jermaine Jenas and David Prutton and had the opportunity to sell others although I ultimately decided it was not in the best interests of myself or Nottingham Forest Football Club to do so.

"I'd like to thank the staff, players and, in particular, the supporters for all the backing and encouragement I have received in my three years as Nottingham Forest manager."

Hart first arrived at Elland Road as a player following a £300,000 transfer from Blackpool in 1978 before going on to make 229 appearances and score 18 goals.

After hanging up his boots, he returned to Leeds as youth coach in 1992 at the request of the then-manager Howard Wilkinson and earned FA Youth Cup victories for the club in 1993 and 1997.