Davies sacked as Forest manager

Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Billy Davies with immediate effect.

The Championship club are now in talks with former England manager Steve McClaren about the vacant post.

BBC Sport understands McClaren was rejected by Aston Villa, and that he will accept the Forest job on Monday.

Former Preston and Derby boss Davies was unable to secure promotion to the Premier League after two attempts, losing in last season's play-off final 3-1 on aggregate to winners Swansea.

After that defeat Davies, who had one year left on his three-year contract, said he intended to honour his agreement and even met chairman Nigel Doughty to discuss plans for next season.

McClaren could have gone back to Holland to earn three times the amount Forest are offering him. But he wants to be back in English football

Pat Murphy Five live's Midlands football reporter

But two-time European Cup winners Forest have decided to turn to a new man as they seek to return to the top flight of English football.

"Davies was looking forward to another year to make it happen," said BBC Radio 5 live's Midlands football reporter Pat Murphy.

"He always felt he had not had enough support from the chairman for what he called 'stellar signings'. But they [the board] felt they had provided enough backing.

"There was always an uneasy truce between Doughty and Davies. Forest ran out of patience with him after they failed to get promotion again. And it was [also] a case of them feeling, perhaps, that they did not need so much turbulence.

"I understand Steve McClaren will get the job on Monday.

"He was looking for this challenge. He could have gone back to Holland, where he has previously managed FC Twente, to earn three times the amount Forest are offering him. But he wants to be back in English football. They are in advanced talks."