Championship - Forest sack Davies with Warnock set to take over

Billy Davies, Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have announced the sacking of Billy Davies with Neil Warnock set to be installed as his replacement.

Former Sheffield United, QPR and Leeds United manager Neil Warnock apparently met with Forest's owners on Sunday a day after their 5-0 loss to close rivals Derby.

Forest are outside of the Championship play-offs after going eight games without a win. They are seventh in the standings, two points behind sixth-placed Reading.

The 65-year-old, who has been out of management since leaving Leeds in April 2013, would reportedly bring in Keith Curle and Ronnie Jepson as his assistants.

He is apparently set to be paraded on Monday afternoon, and could be in charge for Tuesday's home match with Charlton. Davies signed a four-year contract in October, eight months after he returned to the City Ground as manager in February 2013.

The club missed out on the play-offs last season, and have not finished in the top since former Motherwell and Derby boss Davies was first in charge three years ago.

Davies' second spell in charge of the Reds came to an end after a dismal run of form and a breakdown in his relationship with the club's owner and chairman, Fawaz Al Hasawi.

The heavy loss at the iPro Stadium saw Forest's run without a win reach eight matches - a streak which has seen the Reds go out of the FA Cup to League One side Sheffield United and drop out of the Championship play-off places.

A statement on Forest's official website said: ''Nottingham Forest Football Club have confirmed the termination of manager Billy Davies' employment.

"The club thank Mr Davies for his efforts during his second spell as manager since his re-appointment in February 2013 and wish him well for the future.

"Nottingham Forest will make a further announcement in due course."

Reports on Monday morning named Neil Warnock as the frontrunner to replace Davies on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Davies, who on his return to the club in February 2013 was handed a contract until the summer of 2017, steered Forest to the Championship play-offs twice during his first spell in charge, before his relationship with then-owner Nigel Doughty broke down and led to his departure.