Nottingham Forest have today confirmed that they have parted ways with manager Aitor Karanka after 26 Championship matches. 

The Spaniard took over at the City Ground just over a year ago, arriving on January 8, 2018, after the sacking of Mark Warburton, but has today asked to leave his role as Forest boss after days of talks with the Forest owners.

The club have confirmed that coach Simon Ireland will take over first-team coaching duties for the coming weekend when they travel to Championship strugglers Reading.

The Reds currently sit in seventh place, just four points behind arch-rivals Derby County who currently occupy the final play-off spot, but have won just once in their last six.

Frustrations had begun to grow with Karanka and his style of play in recent months after spending nearly £25million on 17 new signings in the summer window, with the current success not being seen as good enough.

But with the 45-year-old now deciding to leave, the hunt for a new boss is on at the City Ground.

The verdict 

Well, this is a huge surprise.

Manager's quitting a job, unless to move to a better job, is near enough unheard of in football these days so you must assume there has been a rather large disagreement with the board.

It would not be too surprising if it were to do with transfers and the control, or lack of it, that Karanka would have this month.