Steve Cotterill: Nottingham Forest owners Al-Hasawi family sack boss

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Steve Cotterill

Steve Cotterill has been sacked as Nottingham Forest manager.

The 47-year-old's exit comes after he met Forest's new owners the Al-Hasawi family, who assumed control on Tuesday.

A statementexternal-link said the owners, who have called a news conference on Saturday, have decided to make a new appointment "to deliver their long-term vision".

Cotterill took over from Steve McClaren in October and ensured Championship safety, but he has been temporarily replaced by assistant boss Rob Kelly.

Forest's new owners have also cancelled their pre-season tour to America.

A disastrous start to last season saw the Reds hovering just above the relegation zone, and the club was put up for sale by then owner Nigel Doughty when he stepped down as chairman in October.

Doughty died four months later and the club's future became increasingly uncertain.

Despite the off-field problems and the inability to make new signings in the transfer market, Cotterill used the loan market effectively and helped Forest steer clear of relegation in an impressive end to the season.

European Cup-winning stars John McGovern and Garry Birtles told BBC Sport on Wednesday that Cotterill deserved the chance to lead a promotion challenge, but that any decision needed to be made quickly with the season fast approaching.

But the Al-Hasawi family, who have a long history of success with Kuwait's premier football team Al-Quadisya Sports Club in their homeland, have acted swiftly to sack Cotterill and are keen to bring in their own man.

Forest's statement said the decision was taken after "long deliberations" and thanked Cotterill for guiding them through "an extremely difficult and traumatic period and for retaining the side's Championship status last season".

Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson and ex-Wolves manager Mick McCarthy are among the bookmakers' favourites to replace Cotterill.

But Redknapp has told BBC Radio Nottingham's Robin Chipperfieldexternal-link he does not want to be considered for the role.

"I am not interested," he said. "But it's an amazing club with great tradition. I'm sorry to see Stevie Cotterill lose his job."

McGovern told BBC Sport: "Nothing in football should surprise us… I think he's a little unlucky.

"Steve Cotterill did a reasonably good job coming in while there was a transfer embargo going on and eventually did do what he was asked to and keep the club in the Championship.

"New owners have taken over and they obviously have their own man in mind. As quickly as the decision has come regarding Cotterill they must also have had discussions with someone to take over, he's just very unlucky.

"Most of the top managers that are out of work - Harry Redknapp and Mick McCarthy - have been put in the frame.

"It will be a plum job as it is when a club is taken over if the new owners are going to put in some money because that makes the job a little easier."

Forest's new owners announced on Tuesday that they will hold a new conference at the City Ground on Saturday.

The club, who also revealed plans to name their academy the Nigel Doughty Youth Academy,external-link have said they will not be making any further statements.

Keith Mather, chairman of the Nottingham Forest Supporters' Club, told BBC Sport: "It was a struggle at many times last season, and the guys who have come in with a massive investment want to see something come of that investment. It's one of those cases of a new brush sweeps clean."

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93 comments

  • Comment posted by BaggiosPonytail, at 16:41 12 Jul 2012

    Cotterill ensured that we avoided relegation and did a decent job with the restrictions he had to work with. Having said that i'm not sure if he would have been able to get the team challenging for a play-off position which should be a realistic target next season. It will be interesting to see who the new owners appoint.

  • Comment posted by Oysterman, at 17:35 12 Jul 2012

    Its what we expect...and the new manager wont last long if he's not successful.

    Whats the betting he's not English? Money rules and our National interests are well doen the pecking list.

  • Comment posted by U7009256, at 16:48 12 Jul 2012

    Derby fan in peace. I think Cotterill is a decent manager and should have been given until at least christmas to prove himself.

    Obviously the new owners have a long term plan and with arab owners (and if you get Harry Redknapp) then the glory years should return to Forest. It'll be interesting to see how things develop at the City Ground and i wish we'd have some rich owners over at Pride park

  • Comment posted by U14480305, at 10:41 13 Jul 2012

    Forest fans (I included) should be optimistic but also pragmatic - the team has lost many players this year. So a steady pair of hands is needed to first plug the void in the squad - then move forward.

    Also we have to remember the term "Mega Rich Family" - in terms of the likes of Chelsea and Man C - the wealth of NFFC is still only a tiny fraction!

  • Comment posted by U14328013, at 20:43 12 Jul 2012

    Cotterill did the job he was brought in to do. He kept us in the league but theres no room for sentimentality in football. Same goes for Billy, he did an excellent job with what he had, but you have to doubt his ability long term. I'd like to see Ian Holloway come in. Strong personality, loves the game and playing the right way and if hes backed, he could be our guy.

  • Comment posted by eddyforest, at 17:06 12 Jul 2012

    This coming season could be a fire fight unless virtually a complete new squad is bought in, SC could have been a better bet initially. Anyway....onwards and upwards! COYR.

  • Comment posted by U14465241, at 15:51 12 Jul 2012

    Forest -- East Midlands biggest and most succesful club - thats what the new owners are buying and they realise that.

    A new manager was always on the cards and I strongly believe they'll appoint someone with Premiership experience.

    As for Derby County so called fans they're clearly jealous of Forest's history and success.

  • Comment posted by U15340653, at 15:26 12 Jul 2012

    HR wont go near it - not big enough and reports already confirm he is not interested

  • Comment posted by U15340653, at 15:12 12 Jul 2012

    This was inevitable after the takeover - it was the first move the new owners were going to make. No doubt an honest man and grafter, but Cotterill is just not a big team manager. He knew Portsmouth were going bust (again) and took a job most recognised managers wouldnt have touched. Sad for him but completely the right move for our club.

  • Comment posted by North Westerner, at 14:39 12 Jul 2012

    He who pays the piper calls the tune.

  • Comment posted by jemred, at 14:35 12 Jul 2012

    Please, NOT Harry. He is only in the game for the money. Look how he ran away from Pompey etc

  • Comment posted by U15332460, at 14:30 12 Jul 2012

    Most new owners like get a new manager in as a fresh start under their rule of the club and to put a stamp on authority.

    Sorry if this sounds racist as not intended in that way at all but I wish the clubs were owned by English business people and brought through English players in the teams instead of being all about money all the time as it's fast becoming. Teams sack/buy/sell to quickly now

  • Comment posted by U14966550, at 10:57 13 Jul 2012

    I feel sorry for Cotterill, he did a good job of keeping the club in the Championship when they looked as good as doomed halfway through. McClaren wasn't able to turn things around so it speaks volumes that Cotterill did. However, I can also understand why a new ownership would want fresh management from the offset, and in a way I actually respect them doing this right away instead of mid-season.

  • Comment posted by U15312583, at 08:49 13 Jul 2012

    Someone asked me if we Forest fans were now getting excited. I told him that I can't speak for all Forest fans but I am just relieved, we were heading in a bad direction financially. Hope whoever new manager is is backed and given time (by owners AND fans) to rebuild before getting too carried away. Be thankful our decline has been halted and thankful to Nigel Doughty for being a true Forest hero.

  • Comment posted by U15341573, at 08:43 13 Jul 2012

    Bring back Billy Davies I reckon

  • Comment posted by U15341535, at 07:47 13 Jul 2012

    Nottingham Forest have won some trophies out of Clough's reign and finished 3rd in the premier league, got to the quarter finals of the UEFA cup (the last british club in europe that year). Clough did take them from the doldrums to the highlife and has left the fans hungry for more ever since.
    There is no god given right to them being a top flight club but they are a bigger club than some above.

  • Comment posted by U13812920, at 01:32 13 Jul 2012

    Darren Ferguson getting a mention? This must be a leg-pull.

  • Comment posted by Nuns go wild, at 01:12 13 Jul 2012

    Like most championship sides taken over by these multi-millionaires with the promise of premiership football, it is all going to end badly. Just look at cardiff for example, their club is being changed from top to bottom.
    This is no different, and im sure cotterill will find a new job soon. This has become the norm to have these investors, but money guarantees nothing in football.

  • Comment posted by U15341420, at 22:46 12 Jul 2012

    There is only one man who could achieve the style of football we deserve
    Bit looney tunes but a very good coach
    Friend of the doughty family
    They would be chuffed
    Approachable
    Glen hoddle
    There , watch this space

  • Comment posted by 1CarlosTevez, at 22:36 12 Jul 2012

    Now that Forest have been takeover I would like to say the following:

    Up the Red Forest, stuff the piggie Rams!

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