The Al-Hasawi family could shun new-owner convention by ignoring the glamour managers suddenly sweet on Nottingham Forest since the injection of fresh funds and hiring a less lauded but admirable figure with experience of the club and Championship.

Despite the wealthy Kuwaitis previously pledging to focus their search for Steve Cotterill’s successor on “glamour names”, Sean O’Driscoll has emerged virtually from nowhere as an odds-on favourite, priced as short as 1/6 for the vacancy in some places.

The main reason for the turnaround, which was also influenced by former frontrunner Mick McCarthy’s withdrawal from the process, is thought to have been a group of senior players’ attempts to convince the Al-Hasawis to invite O’Driscoll for an interview.

The former Bournemouth and Doncaster boss, who achieved promotion with both, was brought to Forest as a coach by Cotterill in January and his arrival was credited as integral in their wriggle away from a relegation battle.

O’Driscoll left to take charge of League One newcomers Crawley this summer and his new employers are dismissive of the sudden City Ground links, claiming that it is their understanding that Glenn Hoddle (generally around 7/2) has been offered the job.

However, reports suggest that O’Driscoll isn’t entirely happy at the swiftly rising Red Devils. The shift in his price to be Forest’s next manager suggests either that he has overtaken Hoddle in the owners’ estimations or that the ex-England boss has withdrawn his interest.

If the iconic name idea does still tantalise the Al-Hasawis though then there is another name to mull over as Sven-Goran Eriksson is rumoured to be keen on a return to Nottingham and is rated a 12/1 candidate to land his third role in the east midlands.

Tags: Glenn Hoddle, Nottingham Forest, Sean O'Driscoll, Sven-Goran Eriksson