Is Pearce the right man to rescue Forest’s promotion plan?
Published:Given the legendary status that Stuart Pearce holds at Nottingham Forest after 400+ appearances for the club as a player, there won’t be many supporters that complain if he is announced as successor to Billy Davies.
Pearce has previously stated that he would like to manage the club one day, but recent talks fell through as the former left-back cited that he needed to sort out a couple of personal issues.
However, Pearce is back as favourite at 1/2 to be the next Nottingham Forest manager, with some reports suggesting that he has been offered a longer-term contract in the region of two years.
There is no doubting that Pearce will have a positive effect at the City Ground, as four points from a possible 27 has resulted in Forest slipping two points adrift of the Championship play-off places.
But, for all the passion, honesty and drive that Pearce would bring in the short term, there is a feeling that he would be better utilised in an assistant capacity if Forest are to defy odds of 7/1 and secure promotion to the Premier League.
His managerial record at club level only equates to a victory every three games and Newcastle are proof in the pudding that a club-playing legend does not always make a great manager, with the Alan Shearer debacle.
A temporary gig until the end of the season would look an ideal scenario to test the water, but these terms are unlikely to appeal to Pearce.
Following Pearce in the next Nottingham Forest manager betting are Gianfranco Zola (7/1), Steve Clarke (8/1) and Malky Mackay (12/1), who all have more recent experience at taking charge of a Premier League club.
Current Sporting Lisbon boss Leonardo Jardim can also be backed at 12/1 and looks an interesting candidate if Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi sets his sights abroad for a new manager.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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