Forest takeover deal collapses as manager leaves
The deal that would’ve seen Nottingham Forest being sold to new American owners collapsed over the weekend with manager Phillipe Montanier also leaving the club.
In a statement on Saturday night, Forest said: “The club has made the decision following a series of disappointing results this season and given the current position in the league table.
“The search for a replacement manager will now begin. In the meantime, Gary Brazil will be handling first-team affairs.
“Nottingham Forest would like to place on record its thanks to Philippe for his time working with the players and the staff and wish him the best for the future.”
Some twenty-four hours earlier, a takeover by a United States-based consortium led by John Jay Moores was called off by Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi after he branded the deal “not in the interests of the long-term future of our club”.
Forest had been in talks with the former owner of the San Diego Padres baseball team for some months. The deal now appears to be dead.
A statement was Al Hasawi read: “”It is with great regret and disappointment that the club announces today that, despite much speculation in the media, all negotiations in regard to a partial sale of the club to US owners have come to an end.
“We feel strongly that we have acted in good faith on behalf of the club and its fans and that such a deal as it stands is not in the interests of the long-term future of our club.
“Thank you for your continued support at this difficult time for the club.”
Fans reacted with anger over the weekend. Forest drew 0-0 away at Birmingham City on Saturday – a result which leaves them 20th in the Championship, just three points above the drop zone.
