Zola made favourite to be offered Nottingham Forest job

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Nottingham Forest have been a club in crisis over the last few years, with the hire and fire mentality of the owner proving to be detrimental.

Gianfranco Zola during his playing days for Italy

Following the appointment of director of football Pedro Pereira, bookmakers SkyBet have slashed the odds on Gianfranco Zola becoming the next manager at the City Ground.

SkyBet make the former Watford and West Ham boss 1/5 to be given the Forest job on a permanent basis.

During the owenership of Fawaz Al-Hasawi, the Midlands outfit have had seven different managers in four years. The next appointment has to not only be the correct one, but must be made with the long-term benefit of the club in mind.

Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi

A dismal 2015/16 campaign saw Forest finish 16th in the Championship, and was the fifth consecutive season they failed to finish inside the top-six.

Zola is a manger who would bring a buzz to the City Ground, but is he right man for the job?

The Italian has a history of bringing through young players, evident by him given the likes of Jack Collison, James Tomkins and Junior Stanislas first-team opportunites in his time at West Ham. Whether the highly pressurised atmosphere of the Championship is the appropriate breeding ground for youngsters is debatable, however.

Zola during his time as West Ham United Manager

Zola’s credentials are enhanced by his experience in England’s second tier in charge of Watford where he led them to a third-place finish in 2013, only to lose the play-off final to Crystal Palace.

There is a certain amount of flair and excitement that accompanies the Chelsea legend wherever he goes, but the jury is out whether his managerial skills even come close to his playing ability.

Zola was highly revered in the game as a player

If the Forest owner does decide to give him a chance, Al-Hasawi must learn from the mistakes of his past, and ensure he gives Zola time to implement his philosophies and ideas into a team that desperately needs a change of direction.