Betting update: Championship boss installed as favourite for Nottingham Forest vacancy
By Harvey Byrne
Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom has been installed as the favourite for the Nottingham Forest vacancy, according to the latest betting odds.
Bookmaker Sky Bet have priced the 39-year-old boss at odds of 2/1 to make the switch from Yorkshire to the Midlands.
The famous second tier club are currently scouring the market for a new manager after Frenchman Philippe Montanier was relieved from his duties earlier in the month.
The Tykes managed a 3-2 victory over Leeds this weekend and they currently sit 11 places and 11 points ahead of Forest in the league.
However, Heckingbottom has emerged as the front runner with Gary Brazil (3/1), Nigel Pearson (5/1) and Gary Rowett (7/1) all trailing behind him.
Nottingham Forest have endured a tough season with current owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi also looking to sell the club.
However, the addition of Heckingbottom would be quite the coup given the position’s of the two sides in the Championship.
The young Barnsley-born manager took over full control of the Tykes after Lee Johnson left for Bristol City in February 2016.
He led the club to a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory as well as promotion in his first few months in charge and has continued his good form with the Yorkshire team currently sat in eighth place in the Championship.
Football Insider verdict:
For whatever reason this season Barnsley have been unable to keep their key personnel despite the success of the club. Heckingbottom has seen star striker Sam Winnall leave for Sheffield Wednesday already this window, while midfield star Conor Hourihane and young defender James Bree have been heavily linked with moves to second tier rivals Aston Villa. Heckingbottom is clearly a successful boss, but he could become angered by the constant selling of his key players and may soon look for a position elsewhere. Now, Forest would usually prevent a great opportunity for any young manager. However, under Al-Hasawi the club is currently only going to go backwards and a move to the Midlands could ruin Heckingbottom’s blossoming reputation.
In other Nottingham Forest news, Henri Lansbury had this message for the Forest owners after leaving for Aston Villa.
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