Nottingham Forest and Derby County will have different managers in the dugouts for their fifth meeting in a row when the sides do battle on Saturday (March 18).
Derby County sacked Steve McLaren last night (Sunday March 12) for the second time in two years after the Rams lost 3-0 away at Brighton on Friday (March 10) night.
Gary Rowett is currently odds-on favourites with Ladbrokes at 4/6 on to take over at Pride Park with academy manager Darren Wassall second favourite at 5/1.
Alan Pardew is third but is favourite to take over at Norwich City at 4/7 after Alex Neil was sacked on Friday ahead of the Canaries’ home game against Blackburn, which they drew 2-2.
Ladbrokes odds on next Derby County manager
- Gary Rowett – 4/6
- Darren Wassall – 5/1
- Alan Pardew – 8/1
- Mark Warburton – 10/1
- Roy Hodgson – 12/1
- Alex Neil – 14/1
- Nigel Clough – 20/1
When the two teams met in December, Derby County emerged victorious in a 3-0 win.
Nicklas Bendtner, who has now transferred to Norwegian champions Rosenborg, scored an own goal in the first half before goals from Tom Ince and Will Hughes sealed three points for the Rams.
Last five Nottingham Forest managers
- Stuart Pearce – July 2014 to February 2015
- Dougie Freedman – February 2015 to March 2016
- Paul Williams – March 2016 to May 2016
- Philippe Montanier – June 2016 to January 2017
- Gary Brazil – January 2017 to present
Gary Brazil and Jack Lester will take charge of their first East Midlands derby game on Saturday and will be hoping to avenge that defeat after being given the job of managing the Reds until the end of the season.
Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 away at Burton Albion on Saturday after Cauley Woodrow scored in the 26th minute to win all three points for Nigel Clough’s side.
It propelled Burton Albion to 18th in the Sky Bet Championship and one point ahead of the Reds in 19th, who now sit just two points above the relegation zone on 40 points.
Last five Derby County managers
- Paul Clement – June 2015 to February 2016
- Darren Wassall – February 2016 to May 2016
- Nigel Pearson – May 2016 to October 2016
- Chris Powell – October 2016
- Steve McLaren – October 2016 to March 2017
Derby’s new manager can expect a baptism of fire when the Rams travel to the City Ground on Saturday.
Derby currently sit 10th in the Championship after their loss to Brighton, 10 points adrift the play-off places.
The Rams come into the game having won just one game in their last 10 in all competitions and did not win a game in February despite playing seven matches.
