Gary Brazil was an unpopular departure at Nottingham Forest this summer as he ended an 11-year association with the club. Now, he’s back in the saddle and has landed a brilliant new gig.
The man who spearheaded the Forest academy for many years deserves the utmost respect. He was the figurehead behind the club obtaining Category One status and unearthed several gems.
Brazil has raked in millions for Forest over the years. Players like Oliver Burke, Matty Cash and Ben Brereton Diaz were all products of the Reds under the influence of the 60-year-old.
His departure from Forest was curious. Despite 11 years of service the club never announced that he was leaving and Craig Mulholland from Rangers appears to have replaced him.
Ross Wilson appears to have set his stall out at Forest. He’s added his trusted lieutenant to the club’s academy but that meant Brazil departing at the end of his contract.
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However, it could be the case that the integral figure wanted to leave. He’s now landed a role with the Football Association as their new Head of Men’s Player Recruitment and Retention.
It’s not crystal clear what the remits of that role are. Still, working with the FA isn’t to be sniffed at and it’s a role that Brazil will surely thrive in.
Brazil gets brilliant new FA role after Forest departure
It’s fair to say that the academy guru leaving didn’t go down too well among the fan base. Brazil was a popular figure at Forest and rightly so!
The work he did for the club was unrivalled. In an era where everything around him appeared to crumble, the one aspect of the club that continued to stand tall was the academy.
Nobody really knows why his contract wasn’t renewed. Was it a case of Brazil wanting to try something different at this stage of his career, or did Wilson really crack the whip and demand his own man?
The image of the man who has now left the City Ground dancing on the Wembley turf with Ryan Yates and Joe Worrall after promotion is priceless. Clearly, his impact on the club is evident and Forest fans will hope Brazil smashes it with the FA.
Only time will tell whether or not Forest have dropped the ball on this one.