Above: Stan Collymore

STAN Collymore has thrown his hat into the ring for the ­Nottingham Forest job – insisting he would make a “damn good” manager.

The former Forest hitman endured a rollercoaster ­period in his personal life when he finished playing in 2001 but has since rebuilt his reputation as a top TV and radio pundit.

And following Steve ­McClaren’s resignation last weekend, Collymore has hinted he would be willing to give up his ­media career for a crack at management.

While he stopped short of saying that he would apply for the vacant post at the City Ground, the ex-England and ­Liverpool star definitely reckons he could fill the void.

Collymore, 40, who scored 45 goals in 76 games for Forest between 1993-95, would love to see Martin O’Neill take up the reins at the club where he won the European Cup twice as a player.

Yet he suspects O’Neill, out of work since ­he quit Villa at the start of last ­season, wants to make his return with a Premier League side.

Colly, who also had spells at Southend and Aston Villa, said: “The obvious choice would be O’Neill but I can’t see that ­happening.

“I don’t think Forest are going to push the boat out enough to make Martin feel it’s worthwhile.

“Having been at Celtic, having punched above his weight at ­Leicester City and, of course, Aston Villa, I doubt Martin would want to go to a club fourth from bottom in the Championship.

“At 40 years of age, I believe, ­without a doubt, I’ve got plenty to offer the game.

“That currently is in broadcasting but do I have the ability to be a ­manager? Damn right I do!

“I’d be a very good manager. Why? Because I’ve gone through the ups and downs of being a very high-profile player. I’ve made mistakes but the notion you have to be a whiter-than-white character to manage a club is nonsense.

“I have no idea if Forest will approach me or ask me to apply for the job. But I’ve always said there are three clubs I would do anything to help – in any way, shape or form. They are Southend, Villa and Forest.

“I had the privilege of playing for Forest for a couple of very successful seasons. It was under Frank Clark but a lot of the players there had played for Brian Clough. So I saw what made Forest so special and unique.”

Whatever happens, Collymore is urging troubled Forest to ­appoint an old boy – someone aware of what makes the club tick – to succeed ­McClaren.

TalkSPORT presenter Colly added: “After I left for Liverpool, the club went through a succession of managers who weren’t Forest ­people, culminating in Steve McClaren.

“They should go back to the equivalent of Liverpool’s boot-room days and get people in who understand the club and the way the team plays.

“Moving forward, they might well go for an up-and-coming manager.

“But for me, until the they employ Forest people, they won’t be successful or get back into the Premier League.”