Nottingham Forest have axed sporting director Filippo Giraldi as they battle to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
The Italian was appointed in October with a view to evaluating the existing infrastructure at the City Ground as the club looked to adapt to life in the Premier League. But he has been sacked after just six months amid what has been a difficult season for the Reds.
The news comes with Forest having dropped into the bottom three at the weekend after defeat at Aston Villa made it nine games without a win. They have eight games left to try to escape the drop, starting at home to Manchester United on Sunday.
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A club statement said: “Nottingham Forest’s sporting director, Filippo Giraldi, has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect. He leaves the club amicably with our best wishes.
“Filippo would like to place on record his thanks to the club and wishes Nottingham Forest the best of luck for the future.”
Head coach Steve Cooper's position has also come under scrutiny as a result of the team’s dismal run of form. Owner Evangelos Marinakis moved to end speculation about the manager’s future by releasing a statement last week.
However, the Greek warned that results and performances needed to improve “immediately”. Losing to Villa is likely to have done little to ease the pressure on Cooper.
Giraldi’s exit is the latest change to have taken place at Forest behind the scenes this term. Chief executive Dane Murphy left in January, while recruitment chiefs George Syrianos and Andy Scott were sacked in October.
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