Gianfranco Zola favourite for Nottingham Forest job

Gianfranco Zola has emerged as the new favourite to replace the sacked Billy Davies at Nottingham Forest, after former frontrunner Neil Warnock rejected the chance to return to management. Meanwhile Gary Brazil has been placed in charge of the first team for their match at home to Charlton on Tuesday night.

Davies was sent packing on Monday following a torrid run of results, which included Saturday's humiliating 5-0 defeat away to promotion rivals Derby County. Rumours were rife that Warnock, a former Notts County boss, was all set to be appointed until the end of the season, however it has since emerged that the experienced manager has surprisingly told owner Fawaz Al Hasawi that he will pass on the role.

As a result there is now a window of opportunity for Zola, who is the 6/4 favourite (Bet Victor) in the Next Nottingham Forest Manager Market, to return to the dugout. The popular Italian shocked former club Watford back in December after opting to resign from his post at Vicarage Rd following a slump in form. Elsewhere the likes of Leonardo Jardim, Stuart Pearce and Malky Mackay are also in the running, while Warnock can still be found at 20/1 to make a shock u-turn.