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Pearce proud to take over at Forest

Stuart Pearce will take over as Nottingham Forest manager on a two-year contract on 1 July.

The ex-Forest captain initially turned down the job for family reasons but had a change of heart and will replace caretaker-boss Gary Brazil next season.

"I had so much on of a personal nature that it wasn't the right time," said 51-year-old Pearce.

"But when they asked if I would take it from the summer, I jumped at the chance. Everything seems right."

Former England and Forest left-back Pearce, nicknamed "Psycho" for his combative playing style, joined the club from Coventry City in 1985 and left after a brief spell as caretaker-manager in 1997.

He will take over from Brazil, who has been in charge for the last two games following the sacking of former boss Billy Davies.

Pearce's eventful career 1983: Signed by Coventry from non-league Wealdstone

1985: Joins Nottingham Forest

1987: Wins the first of his 78 England caps

1990: Plays for England in the World Cup, missing a penalty in the semi-final shoot-out defeat by West Germany

1996: Is one of England's stars of Euro 96

1997: Leaves Forest after a spell as caretaker player-manager and joins Newcastle

1999: Signs for West Ham

2001: Moves to Manchester City

2002: Retires as a player and takes coaching role at City

2005: Becomes Man City manager

2007: Sacked by City, becomes England Under-21 boss

2009: Guides England to final of the Uefa Under-21 Championships

2012: Has a spell as England caretaker boss and is in charge of Britain's Olympic team

2013: Leaves job as Under-21 boss

2014: Returns to Forest as manager

Pearce said the lure of returning to the City Ground as boss was "massive" and said his career would "not be fulfilled" if he did not get the job of managing the Reds.

"It was probably more of a pull than any club in the country," Pearce said. "The pride and the passion of what I do comes before any financial gain.

"The honour of coming back into this club is massive but what I have done here as a player is irrelevant."

Forest are seventh in the Championship, two points off the play-off places with seven games of the regular season left.

Reds chairman and owner Fawaz Al Hasawi owner said: "I am really happy to have Stuart as boss. He is a very good manager, he has a good CV and I wish him all the best with us. I am really happy as chairman and owner and for the fans because they like him.

"We are looking forward to him starting in the summer. I was waiting to pick the right manager, and Stuart is the right manager."

Pearce also played for Newcastle United, West Ham and Manchester City after leaving Forest.

After a two-year spell as Manchester City manager from 2005, he took over as England Under-21 boss in 2007, a post he held until June 2013, and led the Team GB football side at the 2012 Olympics.