NEW manager Billy Davies says he has no concerns about interference from the hierarchy at Nottingham Forest – because he has it in black and white that he is in charge at the Reds.
The Scotsman revealed that he has it written into his contract that he has sole control of team affairs.
There was speculation that both of his predecessors in the role, Sean O'Driscoll and Alex McLeish, had left the City Ground at least partly because of interference from above.
But Davies insists he has no such fears, because the terms and conditions of his employment were laid out in crystal clear fashion within his job offer.
"That was the offer, it did not have to be requested or demanded," said Davies. "I never asked about that or had the conversation about it.
"Fawaz (Al Hasawi) made it absolutely clear he wanted me to manage the football club, to manage Forest and try to get the club into the Premier League. I did not need clarification, not a word. It was there in black and white."
Davies admits that clarity is important, as he returns to the club for a second spell in charge.
"A manager just wants to manage the football team, not necessarily manage the club, just the football team," he said.
"That's what he is employed to do, to manage the quality of the squad and what you need within it.
"If you get that, you don't mind what happens in the future."
Davies believes the club's owner and chairman will know full well that he has hired a strong minded individual as his new manager.
"I think Fawaz has done his homework, on the past at Nottingham Forest, Fawaz has not brought me back here without doing his homework," he said.
"He's a cute business man, he does his due diligence. He's had enough people to interview over the last period of time, he knows what he's looking for.
"The conversations have been very positive in what we're trying to do. We're certainly on the same page. There's no guarantees in life, but we'll work hard and we will try to do what we can."
Davies says he always wanted to return to the City Ground, where he twice led the club into the Championship play-offs before being sacked 18 months ago.
"I've always said that I would love to come back," he said. "People laughed and mocked and said it was a PR stunt when I said that, but it was always my intention.
"That was how I felt.
"Having agreed with Nigel (Doughty) over a target and an ambition, I just felt it would be nice to pick up where we had left off.
"When I was asked if I wanted to come back to Forest I said: 'yes I want to finish off the job'.
"People scoffed but it was genuine and I am genuinely delighted to be back. It's a very difficult challenge, because they've won three in 14.
"But I am delighted to be here, to do the best I can to finish that job off that we started before."
