Alan Shearer says Steve Cooper deserves “huge credit” for the way he has transformed Nottingham Forest.
The Reds were on fire as they dismantled Premier League Leicester City 4-1 in the fourth round of the FA Cup at a jubilant City Ground.
It has been an astonishing turnaround since Cooper replaced Chris Hughton at the helm.
England and Newcastle United legend Shearer, who watched the game for the BBC, believes something special is occurring under Cooper.
Shearer also hailed the atmosphere created by the Forest fans at a packed City Ground.
“You can feel the players feed off that atmosphere, it was special before the game,” he said.
“You hoped we were going to be in for some special, and they didn’t disappoint.
“You’ve got to give huge credit to the manager. Just go back to September when he was appointed, they were bottom of the Championship.
“They’re now two points off the play-offs, in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
“The atmosphere that has been generated, that he has generated, it looks as if and sounds as if there’s something really going on here.
“They punished Leicester in every position."
Shearer later took to Twitter, writing: “Well done Forest @NFFC outstanding today in every position. Brennan Johnson MOTM #FACup #bbcfacup.”
