Who will be the next Nottingham Forest manager?

Colin Calderwood was given the boot from the City Ground on Boxing Day following their 4-2 home defeat to fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers. The former Spurs defender was always living on borrowed time after a poor start to life in the Championship, but despite losing just three of their last 12 games the board decided that Calderwood was not the right man to safeguard their Championship status.

So now the search is now on for the next Nottingham Forest manager and understandably, for such a massive club, there are a number of names being linked with the vacant post. Here I will take a look at some of the main runners and riders in the race to be the new Forest manager and give my assessment on their credentials for the job.

Nigel Clough

It's the romantic choice but after 10 years learning his trade at Burton Albion could the former Forest player and son of Forest's legendary manager Brian Clough be about to return to his spiritual home? He has worked wonders with Burton Albion, establishing them as a Conference side and currently top the Blue Square Premier League. He's only 42 and has plenty of time in management ahead of him, but I can't see him walking out on Burton when they are on course to be promoted to League Two as champions. However, stranger things have happened.

Roy Keane

The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland ace spent three years under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest before leaving in 1993 to become one of the game's all-time greats. He's currently available after leaving Sunderland and a number of Forest fans would love to see him back at the City Ground. He performed miracles at the Stadium of Light guiding the Black Cats from the foot of the Championship to Championship winners in less then one season in charge. Then he kept them in the Premiership at the first attempt before leaving earlier this month. Would he be willing to return to football management so quickly? Like Clough, you can't rule anything out, but I think it would be a popular appointment with the fans.

Billy Davies

The former Derby County and Preston North End boss is another candidate who has managed to transform teams from relegation fodder to promotion contenders. His links with Forest's arch rivals may not sit well with the fans or some of the players - Rob Earnshaw and Lee Camp have both had fall-outs with Davies in the past - but by hook or by crook he gets results, and that's what Forest are crying out for. He's not going to win any popularity contests with the fans but he would get them away from the foot of the table.

Aidy Boothroyd

The former Watford boss is another out-of-work manager with an impressive record looking for a return to the game. He took the Hornets into the Premiership through the play-offs, but was unable to prevent them from coming straight back down. After a poor start to the current campaign, Boothroyd left Vicarage Road in November. His style of football is not to everyone's liking but he has achieved success in the Championship before. Forest could do a lot worse than take a chance on one of the game's most respected young coaches.

Alan Curbishley

The former West Ham United and Charlton Athletic boss has insisted that his main goal is to manage in the Premiership again, but could the lure of taking the former European giants back to their rightful place in the top flight tempt him to take over at the City Ground? He was targeted by a section of the West Ham fans for not playing entertaining football, but it ultimately got him results. His time at Charlton speaks for itself and if he could emulate that at Forest he would become a firm fans' favourite. But I'm not sure if he is willing to risk his reputation by taking the job.

Paul Ince

The former Blackburn Rovers, MK Dons and Macclesfield boss was harshly treated by Blackburn earlier this month and many believe that he would love another crack at a top job. I have no doubt that Incey would have got Blackburn out of trouble in the Premiership, but such is the pressure of staying in the top flight that the board simply couldn't risk being relegated and had to act to safeguard their status. However, Ince has not become a bad manager overnight and I'm sure that he would relish the opportunity to show Blackburn that they were wrong in forcing him out. The Championship is still a level up from where he was 12 months ago and it's a huge challenge to get Forest back into the Premiership. Maybe Ince is the man.

Other names being linked with the vacant post include Stuart Pearce, David O'Leary, Brian Laws, John Pemberton, Simon Davey and Iain Dowie. However chairman Nigel Doughty has to make a vital appointment, one that not only takes Forest away from the foot of the table but one that can inspire them to challenge for a return to the Premiership.

* Calling all Forest fans. Who would you like to see take over from Colin Calderwood at the City Ground? Is there anyone in the frame who you would hate to see in charge? If so who and why? Do you think the new man can prevent Forest from falling through the Championship trapdoor? I'd love to hear from you.