Sean Dyche is emerging as the leading contender to become Nottingham Forest’s third head coach of the season.

The Athletic reported on Saturday that Forest had spoken to Dyche and former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, who now appears unlikely to return to English football. Marco Silva is not expected to leave Fulham.

Global head of football Edu and global technical director George Syrianos are leading Forest’s search to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou and have held positive meetings with Dyche.

Forest are conducting a thorough process to decide which candidate is deemed the best match to their situation, considering the most suitable style of football for the players and club. Dyche’s Premier League experience, having overseen nearly seven seasons with Burnley and two years at Everton, is considered important for Forest and their large English contingent.

Postecoglou had succeeded Nuno Espirito Santo in September but failed to win any of his eight matches in charge and was dismissed after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat by Chelsea.

The 60-year-old Australian won just one point across five league games — a 1-1 draw at Burnley — with losses against Arsenal, Sunderland, Newcastle and Chelsea. Forest were also defeated by Championship side Swansea City in the Carabao Cup, drew their opening Europa League game 2-2 with Real Betis and lost to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

Mancini left his role as Saudi Arabia men’s head coach last year (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

Dyche, 54, left his position as Everton manager in January after two years at Goodison Park. He departed with Everton 16th in the Premier League, with his successor David Moyes overseeing a 13th-place finish.

In 2023-24, Dyche kept Everton in the Premier League despite the club twice being deducted points for breaching the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

The former Chesterfield and Millwall defender began his managerial career with Watford. He spent a season in charge at Vicarage Road before joining Burnley, where he spent the best part of a decade.

Dyche led Burnley to the most successful period in their history, delivering six uninterrupted seasons of Premier League football before being dismissed in April 2022.

Forest, 18th in the Premier League with only one win, are next in action against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.