Friday 13 January 2017 23:27, UK
Nottingham Forest's proposed takeover by John Jay Moores has collapsed.
The former owner of the San Diego Padres was leading a US consortium in the final stages of buying an 80 per cent stake in the Sky Bet Championship club.
Both sides were hopeful the takeover would be completed before the weekend, and Sky sources understood the consortium was ready to make former Birmingham boss Gary Rowett their new manager.
But current owner Fawaz Al Hasawi, who would have retained a 20 per cent investment in the proposal, announced on Friday evening that discussions had ended.
A spokesperson for Rowett has subsequently told Sky Sports News HQ he would not consider becoming Forest manager while Al Hasawi remains the club's owner.
"It is with great regret and disappointment that the club announces that all negotiations in regard to a partial sale of the club to US owners have come to an end," said Al Hasawi.
"We feel strongly that we have acted in good faith on behalf of the club and its fans and that such a deal as it stands is not in the interests of the long-term future of our club."
Nottingham Forest face Midlands rivals Birmingham City on Saturday at St Andrew's.
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