Nottingham Forest want Burton manager Clough as new boss

Nottingham Forest have made an approach to Burton to speak with former player Nigel Clough about becoming the club's next manager.

Press Association Sport understands Forest have formally approached Burton but they have not yet been granted permission to open talks with Clough about replacing Philippe Montanier.

The Frenchman was sacked by Forest on January 14 with the club 20th in the Sky Bet Championship after a run of eight games without a win.

Clough began his playing career at Forest under his father Brian - widely regarded as the club's greatest manager - and went on to make more than 300 appearances across two spells.

The 50-year-old was given his first managerial opportunity by Burton in 1998 and - after spells in charge of Derby and Sheffield United - returned last season to guide the Brewers to promotion to the Championship.

Burton are three places below 19th-placed Forest in the table and must now fight to keep their manager as Fawaz Al Hasawi steps up his search for a manager with "experience and vision".

The Forest owner last week pledged "complete and utter commitment" to the club after the collapse of a proposed takeover and the sacking of Montanier.

After months of negotiations, investment from an American consortium headed by John Jay Moores fell through on January 13 as Al Hasawi felt the deal was "not in the interests of the long-term future of our club".

Montanier lost his job the following day, just hours after a goalless draw with Birmingham, and in an open letter to supporters, Al Hasawi outlined the criteria for his successor.

"As you know, we are also in discussions over the appointment of our new manager," he said.

"While I cannot comment on names, I can give every assurance that we will appoint the candidate with the experience and vision to maximise the squad's talent and potential, and improve results."