NOTTINGHAM Forest fans were last night shocked after hearing the news that boss Sean O'Driscoll had been sacked.
The announcement from the City Ground came just hours after they had sent supporters home full of festive cheer following a 4-2 Boxing Day victory over Leeds United.
Read what Forest legend Garry Birtles said when Sean O'Driscoll was appointed in July here.
But despite the positive Championship result, Forest owners Fawaz Al Hasawi and Abdulaziz Al Hasawi made the decision to part company with O'Driscoll – who only took the reins in July.
When buying the club in the summer, the Kuwaiti backers had initially said this season would be one of consolidation. But they have now ramped up their ambitions and want the team to gain promotion to the Premier League during this campaign.
Chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi said: "Sean can count himself unlucky to have lost his job with the team just one point away from the top six.
"But we have a responsibility to look to the future for this great club because we have huge ambitions for it.
"We knew when we bought the club it would take time for the players we brought in to settle but that process has taken longer than anticipated.
"The timing of our decision may look a little odd after the win over Leeds but sometimes you need to make changes with the long-term future in mind. Sometimes those changes need to be made from a position of strength rather than weakness and that is what we are trying to do."
Forest fans were surprised after the decision last night.
Dave Russell, 57, of Florence Road, West Bridgford, has been a fan for 33 years. He said: "It's a huge shock. I don't think he's done too much wrong, maybe they're too ambitious."
Mike Shaw, 27, of West Bridgford, said: "I'm disappointed he wasn't given more time. After playing the best we have played, it seems really odd."
Manchester-based fan Adam Metcalf, 26, who has been a season ticket holder for ten years, added: "I think it is a bit of a crazy decision. You can't win 4-2 and sack the manager."
Read how we broke the story last night here.
Read Garry Birtles' take on it.Who should replace O'Driscoll?.
