Forest give boss Davies a final chance to win promotion to Premier League
NOTTINGHAM Forest will not sack Billy Davies – but the manager will be out of a job if he does not deliver promotion next season.
The Scot will get the chance to enter into the final year of his contract at the City Ground after a second round of talks saw Davies and chairman Nigel Doughty agree a promotion blueprint for the coming campaign.
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Billy Davies
The club had given serious consideration to turning to a new manager – even reviewing potential replacements – as they look to secure a place in the Premier League.
Davies' relationship with the club had been pushed to the limit, as he responded to repeated failures in the transfer market with increasingly vocal criticism of the Forest hierarchy.
And the club had, significantly, failed to publicly back their manager, by even simply confirming that he would be in charge next season, after Doughty and chief executive Mark Arthur repeatedly refused to comment.
But a second clear-the-air meeting has seen Davies submit a list of potential summer targets as he outlines his plan to improve on the top-six finishes of the last two seasons.
And he will be given a third crack at leading the club into the Premier League.
But, with his contract set to expire at the end of the next campaign, the Scot also knows that his deal will not be renewed if Forest do not secure a place in the top flight.
His first challenge will be to revamp a squad that has seen Nathan Tyson follow Kelvin Wilson out of the exit at the City Ground as he completes the final details of a move to rivals Derby County.
With fellow out-of-contract players Guy Moussi and Robert Earnshaw also likely to leave, Forest will have to drastically improve their recent record in the transfer market.
One of their first targets will be Fulham midfielder Jonathan Greening.
The 32-year-old is surplus to requirements at Craven Cottage and Forest hope the former Manchester United, Middlesbrough and West Brom player could be signed for around £750,000.
Greening has made more than 450 professional appearances and Forest hope he can add vital experience to a young squad.
The Reds had shown an interest in the player back in January but were unable to complete a deal.
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by NCFC_Prophet
Monday, June 13 2011, 1:03PM
“Accurate reporting by the Evening Post once again i see”
by Pete5125
Sunday, June 12 2011, 4:35PM
“About time they got rid of Davies, stopped my season ticket when he was appointed as never liked the man and wrote to Forest to say so, too fond of his own voice and wants to run clubs not be an employee. Need someone better than McClaren though. Warnock would be a good choice but Forest have a bit of history with him. Dont think we have the money left to challenge this season as it is now getting too expensive and we do not generate the funds.”
by pklmn
Sunday, June 12 2011, 4:28PM
“Billy's gone, sacked at last. Sounds like Steve Maclaren is next in line - let's hope we can start moving forwards now. I'm happy and I bet the players will be also.”
by Foxy219
Sunday, June 12 2011, 4:23PM
“Billy has been sacked - on Sky Sports now, and apparently we are in talks with Steve McClaren - to all the Billy haters I hope you are happy
Wish you well Billy”
by malagaultra
Saturday, June 11 2011, 8:13PM
“onwards and upwards then for forest it would appear !!!”
by forester22
Friday, June 10 2011, 4:48AM
“Gee thanks for the vote of confidence Nige! So the fans reckon you know two thirds of stuff all about the game, so we give you one year as well.
Your minions will be on here spreading fear and loathing about the debt and Billy Davies. The time is coming Nigel Doughty for you to stand up and be counted as a 'Real Fan of NFFC" or a defacto owner who leaves the day to day running of our club to idiots and brown nosers like mark arthur.
Simple Nige put up, and really put up or LEAVE and I think you are soft nigel so leave now an avoid the christmas rush !”
by itsjustagame
Thursday, June 09 2011, 4:58PM
“what needs to change at Forest? good question..11 yrs of one owner has proven one thing...he cant get the job done..simple as that.
He changes managers like theres no tomorrow, he hasnt fully backed a manager since Platt ( when he wasnt 100% owner ) he tries to get to the promised land on a shoestring..before someone tells me he's loaned the club 60 mill, spread that out over 11 yrs and it isnt so impressive considering he loaned the club Platts spending spree way back when.
How he managed to accumulate his wealth is a mystery as he certainly cant pick higher level management ( marthur, pleat ) and his club manager is the best he's ever had and all he does is allow a rift to develope...don't blame billy for the rift..Doughboy knew what Billy was about before he hired him. He knew Billy was a moaner and then acts suprised that he moans. Doughty is the 11 yr problem not the numerous managers he's hired.”
by dimenZion Unisex Hair Salon
Thursday, June 09 2011, 3:03PM
“Have to agree with RedKelly - good luck to Tyson, he's worn the shirt well whilst he's been here and I wish him well.
I'm also happy that BD is staying although this should have been settled a lot sooner than it has been. I don't know what needs to change at Forest to kick us over the finish line but I find both BD saying "We need to sign people" (whilst this season Norwich and last season Blackpool) and ND / MA (whoever) not signing them a sign of a terrible breakdown in communications between the manager and the board.”
by Estranged_Red
Thursday, June 09 2011, 9:38AM
“Do we not need to bring in a quality defender? Chambo and Wes still showed signs of immaturity and panic at the back. Plus we've lost Kelvin, who, although prone to mistakes was a calming influence.”
by TrickyinExile
Wednesday, June 08 2011, 11:21PM
“So BD is staying as Manager. Just as both ND and BD said only a couple of weeks ago... Shame to see Tyson go, but the truth is that if we are to kick on then he is perhaps one of those we needed to improve upon. Even though he's gone to the wrong end of the A5-2 I certainly won't boo him. I've got a funny feeling he'll score against us though!”