Nottingham Forest hoping to tie up Billy Davies return today
NOTTINGHAM Forest were last night working to tie up a deal to bring Billy Davies back to the City Ground for a dramatic second stint as manager.
The Al Hasawi family have made the Scotsman their primary target, as they look to make a swift appointment, following the departure of Alex McLeish on Tuesday.
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Billy Davies
The club's Kuwaiti owners believe the appointment of Davies would be a popular move with supporters, following a tumultuous first seven months to their reign.
The departure of McLeish, following a frustrating transfer window and a series of behind the scenes disagreements, has left them looking for their fourth manager since they arrived at the club back in July.
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And they hope Davies is the man to restore the club's fortunes – as well as a little faith among the fans.
The former Preston and Derby manager left the City Ground under a cloud in the summer of 2011, as his relationship with the club hierarchy became increasingly fractious.
But his abilities as a manager have never been in question, with Davies firstly steering the club away from relegation upon his arrival in January 2009, before subsequently securing back-to-back top-six finishes in the Championship.
As a result, he has remained a popular figure among many Reds fans.
And chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi is now ready to back Davies to go that one step further, by steering the club into the top flight.
According to a statement released by Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston, Davies yesterday rejected the chance to take over as manager at Bloomfield Road, as he wanted to pursue "another opportunity".
And he was instead understood to be in discussions with Forest over a potential second spell in charge.
But, whether the negotiations are successful or not, Davies is unlikely to take control of the side when they travel to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City on Saturday.
Assistant manager Rob Kelly will take caretaker charge of the fixture, which sees Forest pitted against former boss Sean O'Driscoll, who was sacked on Boxing Day.
If a deal cannot be agreed with Davies – who will want to bring the majority of his old coaching staff back to the City Ground with him, starting with long-time number two Ned Kelly, who is currently at Walsall – Forest will turn to either Paolo Di Canio, who is currently unsettled at Swindon Town, former Southampton boss Nigel Adkins or ex-Reds favourite Roy Keane.
Paul Ince and Paul Hart have both also expressed their interest in the position.
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by HarrySkillman
Thursday, February 07 2013, 4:57PM
“Thanks georgieboyred by the way.
It's nice to know some Forest fans have more foresight.”
by HarrySkillman
Thursday, February 07 2013, 4:34PM
“Come on Huey, take off those spectacles for one moment...please.
O.k. he doesn't mention him by name but come on, who do you think he was talking about, seriously.
If you can't read between those lines then you are definately illiterate.
Plus, it's not just one man's opinion, that would be you or I, it is the opinion of the man in charge of the academy at the time. Who is better placed to have an opinion on these matters?”
by HueyTheNoose
Thursday, February 07 2013, 3:54PM
“HarrySkillman I have heard what Pemberton said in his interview and he did not say what you say he said? Get your facts right mate. Even if he had said it (which he certainly didn't), does that make it a fact? No, that would be one mans opinion, nothing else! Anyone who thinks Billy set back the Academy knows nothing about what has gone on over the last 12 years at the ACD.”
by georgieboyred
Thursday, February 07 2013, 3:19PM
“Sorry that should have read Skillman. My apologies.”
by georgieboyred
Thursday, February 07 2013, 3:18PM
“Harry Stillman.
Good post. The pro BD brigade are convinced he had nothing to do with the dismantling of the reserves and seem to think he was involved with the Academy on a daily basis.
My point is there is enough evidence to suggest his Academy interest was minimal, yet can anybody provide a quote from BD where he enthuses about the Academy?
The youngsters are our lifeblood.
Sad day for our club. It will all end in tears.”
by farcall2
Thursday, February 07 2013, 1:36PM
“This is it lads, $h!t or bust..with no in between, my support as usual.al”
by HarrySkillman
Thursday, February 07 2013, 1:25PM
“old ref:
I agree that no-one could've known what Billy's remit was last time and i certainly agree with your last point about the state of football in general today. I would have to lean on the side of Billy having a pretty long leash in terms of ND's expectations for the team. I don't think Mr Doughty was the kind of person that was in to ultimatums (certainly not like dear Fawaz is!!!)
Patbrett:
Very sensible and plausible scenario you have painted. It looks like Billy is coming back so let's hope that things will be smoother now the A.P has gone. I'm dubious that it will but we'll see. It certainly will be interesting but hopefully for the right reasons and we can finally push on for the Prem!
COYR”
by redone1
Thursday, February 07 2013, 1:19PM
“i'll go along with that patbrett - good summary which does make sense. i just hope if billy comes back that he wins the doubters over (and im one of them) with a nice statement along those lines of what you wrote but also adding something like -' i made some mistakes when i was here last time, but now im back to put them right and get the club back where we deserve to be' i cant say im overjoyed but im hoping to be won over!!! COYR”
by farcall2
Thursday, February 07 2013, 1:12PM
“Just been on sky, Billy here within 24hrs, well thats it lads, time to give your support once more.al”
by patbrett
Thursday, February 07 2013, 12:58PM
“This is my view re the Billy/Reserve - academy thing. I think ND/MA etc said "we have this much money available," I think BD said "Look, you have given me a remit to get this club promoted so I need the vast majority of that on the first team squad." So, because Billy felt that he needed more on the first team something had to go. It's simple budget prioritising. Im not saying I agree with it, just saying that I think this is what happened. I think Billy thought "This is a little reward for a lot of money, so ditch it and invest on the front end." ND could have said "No" he was the bottom line boss, but he didn't. I think he didn't like it, but saw the logic of it.
On another point it was obvious that there was a "political power struggle: between Billy and his staff & MA and the AP. This tore at ND and tore the club apart. Well, MA & the AP have gone, so we will see how a straight relationship between Billy and Fawaz can work. It will be interesting.”