Sky Bet Championship: Stuart Pearce has turned down the opportunity to become Director of Football at Nottingham Forest
Monday 2 February 2015 14:42, UK
Sky sources understand that Stuart Pearce has turned down the opportunity to become Nottingham Forest's Director of Football.
Pearce was sacked as manager of the Championship club and replaced by Dougie Freedman on Sunday following a very poor run of form which had seen Forest slip to 12th in the table, having looked likely promotion candidates at the start of the season.
However, Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi said he in a statement how hard he had found it to dismiss Pearce and stressed that he was keen for the club legend to remain at Forest in some capacity.
However, Pearce has now reportedly decided against taking on a Director of Football role at the City Ground.
Sky sources also report that Nottingham Forest chief executive Paul Faulkner has stepped down after Freedman's appointment.
Faulkner is unhappy that he was not consulted over the decision to bring in the former Bolton manager as a replacement for Pearce, who was sacked after the weekend’s 1-0 home defeat by struggling Millwall.
Sky Sports News HQ reporter Rob Dorsett tweeted: "As I hinted last night, Faulkner hadn't been consulted about the new manager appointment. Felt he was unable to do the role he took on."
A statement from Forest on Sunday night read: "Dougie Freedman has taken over at The City Ground with immediate effect.
"Freedman, who played for the Reds between 1998-2000, has previous experience of managing in the Championship after spells with Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers. The club will announce further details in due course."
Capped twice by Scotland during his playing days, the 40-year-old Freedman began his managerial career at Crystal Palace in January 2011 where he guided them clear of relegation from the Championship in 2011, before leading them to the League Cup semi-final in 2012.
However, with Palace fourth in the standings in October 2012, Freedman moved to Bolton and after a 14th spot last season he left by mutual consent in October after a miserable start to the current campaign with the team second from bottom.
