Alex McLeish has lasted just 40 days as manager of Nottingham Forest after he and the club decided to part ways by mutual consent. McLeish presided over just seven games at the helm of Forest, winning one. The former Aston Villa coach was said to be deeply frustrated with the npower Championship club’s lack of activity during the transfer window. McLeish’s departure leaves Fawaz al-Hasawi, Forest’s Kuwaiti owner, looking for his fourth manager since he took control of the club in July.

"I am extremely saddened to be leaving after such a short period but even so it has been a privilege to be manager of such a fantastic football club and I want to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish Nottingham Forest the best of fortunes ahead,” McLeish said in a statement. "Both parties entered into the relationship in good faith. However, there was a difference in the understanding of the development strategy of the football club and it was felt by both parties that we should part company."

Former Southampton coach Nigel Adkins is the early favorite to take the vacant post.