Nottingham Forest approach Man Utd-linked manager and identify first-choice to replace Ange Postecoglou

Nottingham Forest have reportedly identified Fulham boss Marco Silva as their favoured choice to replace Ange Postecoglou.

The writing was on the wall for Postecoglou as his Forest side slumped to a limp 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea on Saturday afternoon – the club’s fourth successive loss in all competitions.

Forest chairman Evangelos Marinakis was pictured leaving his seat midway through the second half and official confirmation of Postecoglou’s dismissal arrived just 17 minutes after the final whistle.

The 60-year-old, who took over the reins from Nuno Espirito Santo a little over a month ago, failed to win any of his eight matches across a miserable 39-day spell before Marinakis decided to swing the axe.

Postecoglou leaves Forest with the club languishing down in 18th place and the Australian’s short-lived spell at the City Ground represents the briefest stint of any manager in Premier League history.

According to The Times, Forest’s hierarchy have set their sights on a possible deal for Silva and have been trying to convince the Portuguese to leave his role at Fulham to succeed Postecoglou.

However, Silva is said to be ‘reluctant’ to ditch Fulham midway through the season and Forest ‘have not received an indication’ that the 48-year-old has any intention of upping sticks at Craven Cottage.

It’s claimed Silva, formerly the manager of Everton, Watford and Hull City, has a release clause worth in the region of £12million at Fulham.

The report adds that Sean Dyche remains a potential option to replace Postecoglou, as well as Roberto Mancini, who has been out of a job since leaving his role as head coach of the Saudi Arabia national team.

Marinakis is known to be an admirer of Mancini and formal contact was made contact with the Italian less than three hours after Postecoglou’s sacking.

Mancini, of course, has a wealth of experience under his belt in English football having managed Manchester City from 2009 to 2013. The club won their first-ever Premier League title in that time, as well as the 2011 FA Cup.

As well as Saudi Arabia, the 60-year-old has also managed Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Zenit Saint Petersburg and the Italy national side since departing the Etihad Stadium 12 years ago.

Recent reports indicated that Mancini would be interested in the Manchester United job should results continue to spiral for Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.

Despite his previous ties to United’s noisy neighbours, Mancini is believed to have informed close friends that he could be in the picture to take charge at the Theatre of Dreams.

Speaking at the Festival dello Sport earlier this month, Mancini revealed what it would take to coax him back into management.

‘Something that gives me a chance to win and something that motivates me,’ he told reporters.

‘I miss it [a lot]. I miss being on the pitch with the boys every day.

‘Being on the pitch with the players is what I miss.’

Mancini hinted he could be tempted to return for a second stint with Italy should the opportunity arise down the line.

‘Honestly, yes, but I knew it would be almost impossible,’ he replied when asked if he wanted to replace Luciano Spalleti in the summer.

‘I’m happy for him [Spalleti’s replacement Gennaro Gattuso]. He’s in the best place there is for a coach.’