Nottingham Forest fans react as Leeds appoint Paul Heckingbottom

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Nottingham Forest had appeared set to appoint new Leeds manager a month ago.

Paul Heckingbottom is moving on from Barnsley to take the manager’s job at Leeds United.

Heckingbottom is replacing Thomas Christiansen at Elland Road, but he almost was in charge at Nottingham Forest.

After Mark Warburton’s sacking, Heckingbottom became an early favourite for the job at the City Ground.

The Express reported Nottingham Forest were keen to appoint Heckingbottom and he was made an early favourite with the bookies to land the job.

Forest ended up going in a different direction, choosing Aitor Karanka instead.

So are Forest fans feeling jealous now Leeds have got their man? Not exactly.

Karanka has made a positive start at Nottingham Forest, not without the odd hiccup, but he has been very active in the transfer market and is keen to make an impression, and has lifted spirits at the City Ground.

Forest are in 16th place, nine points back from 10th placed Leeds. Heckingbottom jumps from Barnsley who sit down in 21st place.

Both Forest and Leeds have become synonymous with hiring and firing managers over the past few years amid their efforts to recapture past glories, and you may get long odds on both Heckingbottom and Karanka being in jobs in 12 months time.