NOTTINGHAM, England — Second-tier English club Nottingham Forest 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 Premier League.

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