The Nottingham Post has asked Nottingham Forest fans who they want to replace Mark Warburton and take over at the City Ground and one man has over twice as many votes as the nearest contender.

With over 4,000 votes cast and counting, Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill is streets ahead in the poll with 33% of the vote.

O'Neill is a firm favourite among the Forest fans as he won the European Cup at the City Ground in both 1979 and 1980 under the legendary Brian Clough and is often said to have similar man-management skills as the legendary boss.

The 65-year-old saw his Ireland side miss out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a thumping 5-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Denmark which has led to a great deal of speculation suggesting he is looking for a new challenge and potentially a return to the day to day intensity of club management.

However, O'Neill is not the bookies' favourite. That man is Aitor Karanka, who is appealing as he is unattached and Forest are looking to make a quick hire.

However, he collected just 15% of the vote, to come in joint second alongside another former Boro boss Garry Monk and Clough's son Nigel, who is of course currently at the helm at Burton Albion.

Other contenders included former Forest boss Steve McClaren, O'Neill's Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane, Gus Poyet, Paul Clement - recently sacked by Swansea - and Nigel Pearson.

The Verdict:

It is not difficult to see why O'Neill is the fans' favourite, given his man-management skills and deep affinity with the club.

Playing cagey football and eking out results with the Republic of Ireland is surely likely to become tiresome and I feel the time is right for O'Neill to take the plunge and return to club football.

However, it would be interesting to see the fans' reaction if Karanka gets the nod because he is quicker and cheaper to appoint.

Forest fans - why do you want O'Neill so badly? What are your thoughts on Karanka? Let us know below...