All change as Forest and County prepare for a new era

There’s an air of change around Nottingham’s two professional football clubs as new owners look to sweep away years of disappointment and underachievement.

As we reported yesterday, Alan Hardy has finally taken control of Notts County after days of tense negotiations.

Hardy confirmed yesterday that his legal team has resolved the issues surrounding an outstanding £1.5m loan owed to the trustees of the Haydn Green Estate.

The Magpies could name a new manager as early as today (12 January), with Hardy promising a new Academy boss will be in place by Monday. The current frontrunners for the manager job include David Flitcroft who is reported to

Alan Hardy

have had talks with Hardy at the latter’s Nottinghamshire Golf Club complex over the weekend. Mark Robins and Kevin Nolan are also in the running, it is thought.

Meanwhile, over at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest could have new owners by next week as John Jay Moores flew over to the UK to pen a deal that will see his consortium buy 80% of the Club in a £50m deal.

Progress has been slow, but Moore says he remains committed to the deal after hiring a number of people to step straight into jobs at Forest. Ex-Birmingham manager Gary Rowett is thought to have been earmarked for the manager’s job with Philippe Montainier on his way out after a disappointing spell.

Forest hope to have the deal wrapped up by the weekend, according to reports.