SEAN DYCHE has emerged as the leading contender to be appointed the next Nottingham Forest manager, reports suggest.
Ange Postecoglou was sacked following 39 days and eight winless matches in charge, culminating in being axed just 19 minutes after the final whistle of Forest’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.
The former Tottenham manager’s style was in stark contrast to that seen by predecessor Nuno Espirito Santo.
Postecoglou’s high line and high press philosophy was a far cry from the low block and counter style which earned Forest European football last season.
And with a squad not suited to the needs of a radically different style, City Ground bosses are now eyeing a manager who is better suited to the style of the squad.
Former Burnley and Everton manager Dyche, 54, is said to fit that bill at Forest for global head of football Edu and global technical director George Syrianos.
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As such, The Athletic report he is now the leading candidate to be named as the club’s third manager of the season.
Talks had also taken place with Premier League title winner Roberto Mancini, but the report says he is now not expected to return to England.
A move for Fulham manager Marco Silva was also explored, but he is not expected to leave his post at Craven Cottage.
Forest dropped into the relegation zone at the weekend after a 2-0 win for Burnley over Leeds.
The club picked up just one of their total five points this season under Postecoglou – a 1-1 draw with Burnley.
However, speaking on Match of the Day, Micah Richards slammed the decision of club owner Evangelos Marinakis as “ridiculous”.
He raged: “I think it was (inevitable) for the owners in terms of his standards for the club.
“I remember last season, he thought they were going into the Champions League, didn’t work out, got into Europe, wasn’t good enough. Obviously Nuno gets sacked after that.
“But in terms of football – five games, 39 days in the Premier League, and you’re getting sacked. It’s just ridiculous to me.
“I don’t know where they’re going in terms of football. I understand the results haven’t been great, but in terms of a manager trying to get his philosophy over…
“We knew with Nuno it was a defensive-style team, now we know Ange likes to go on the front foot.
“We always talk about giving managers time to put their input on what the team wants to do. And for him to get five games in the league…”
Forest host Portuguese giants Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, before a trip to Bournemouth next weekend.
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