Bitter rivals both hire new managers

Two sleeping giants of English football, Nottingham Forest and Derby County, have appointed new managers today, adding even more intrigue to this weekend's East Midlands derby, as the arch rivals face eachother in the Championship. 

At the start of the season, Derby County were expected to be challenging the likes of Newcastle United in a push for automatic promotion. Those ambitions have not been reached however, with the Rams currently sitting in tenth place in the Championship, having picked up just one win in their last nine league games. This resulted in manager Steve McClaren being sacked by the club for a second time. 

Former Derby player Gary Rowett has been appointed as the new manager until the end of next season, as announced by the club early on Tuesday. Rowett has had successful spells at Burton Albion and Birmingham City, although it is yet to be seen whether the Derby fans will be happy with the style of football that is associated with Rowett. 

It has not been smooth running for Nottingham Forest either this season. Failed takeover bids and fan protests have added to poor performances on the pitch, which has seen the Reds sink to 19th in the Championship. Manager Philippe Montanier was sacked, with academy manager Gary Brazil taking temporary charge. Brazil was expected to take charge until the end of the season, however Mark Warburton has been unveiled as the new Nottingham Forest manager this morning.

Warburton, who has formerly managed Rangers and Brentford, has been given a two and a half year deal by Forest. The new manager has a big task on his hands with the two time European champions, as he attempts to keep a team that has lost five of their last seven, in the Championship.  

The new managers will not be given much time to get their messages across to their respective players, as Nottingham Forest will host Derby County at the City Ground on Saturday, a match the fans will be desperate to win.