Sabri Lamouchi has issued a statement on the League Managers Association website after the termination of his contract earlier this week where he was replaced by Chris Hughton in the hot seat of Nottingham Forest Football Club.

The Frenchman stated “It was my dream to work in English football as a Manager and the opportunity to do that at a great club in Nottingham Forest was an honour. The city welcomed me from day one and I will never forget the magic moments we all shared together at the City Ground and across the country.”

“Thank you to the players, staff and board for everything they did in support of me and the project. Our dream was to take Nottingham Forest back to the Premier League, where this historic club deserves to be, and to make Forest great again. From the first day to the last, we gave our lives to this project, and together we came so close to achieving our dream.”

“To the fans, it was an honour to work for your great club. We lived a season that I will never forget. You sung my name and you made me feel a part of your club. I hope that your dreams will come true and that the club will reach the top. I hope I will have the opportunity to see you again in the City Ground one day.”

“I am looking forward to my next challenge, and I wish Nottingham Forest and the new coach every success for the future.”

Many Forest fans were left disappointed with the lack of a statement issued by the club upon the termination before 29 minutes after his sacking on Tuesday evening, announcing that a new man had replaced him. The fact Lamouchi took time to personally thank everyone involved in his gallant but unsuccessful Forest project shows dignity and class from a likeable man who simply had he kept on getting results would still be Nottingham Forest Manager.

After many years of under-achievement at the City Ground Sabri had at least given the fans hope on a season prior to lockdown that was going better than expected with a play off push which eventually de-railed as the Reds stumbled in front of the empty stadium seats during the latter part of the prolonged campaign delayed through covid catastrophe.

This season hadn’t gone much better with four straight league defeats and wonders if the twelfth man, the Forest faithful could have made that bit of a difference to help Sabri’s side kick on should they have been allowed back into stadiums by now. That question will never be answered, just as there are many if’s and but’s that will probably get kicked to one side with questions forever hanging over what ‘really’ went on behind the scenes.

That said Forest have a new start now and a new beginning is dawning under an equally likeable chap, but no Forest fan on earth won’t be thankful to Sabri Lamouchi for at least giving us that belief again, and for moments like Derby at home, Brentford away, Fulham at the Cottage, those away wins in Wales, at Stoke the night we went top, and of course that unbelievable Saturday night verses Leeds… For those we thank you Sabri, we wish you well upon your way.

*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).

*Main image @NFFC Sabri Lamouchi managed 55 games for Nottingham Forest.