The majority of Nottingham Forest fans have reacted with surprise and sadness at reports over the departure of long-serving academy chief Gary Brazil.
The 60-year-old is said to be among three key departures at the City Ground as part of a backroom shake-up. The Athletic state that the Reds have "taken the unexpected step of not renewing Brazil’s contract".
It adds that Lee Charnley has been told his services "will no longer be required at boardroom level", having been brought in on a consultancy basis to provide extra experience as Forest prepared for life back in the Premier League, with under-21 boss Warren Joyce "also expected to leave".
Former Sheffield United, Preston, Newcastle and Fulham player Brazil joined Forest in 2012, initially as youth team coach, after a spell on the coaching staff at Notts County. He has had three stints as caretaker manager of the Reds while overseeing the rise of homegrown talent such as Brennan Johnson, Joe Worrall and Ryan Yates.
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Here's what Forest fans had to say on social media about the reports...
Craig R: Our loss will be a huge gain for someone else. Best of luck to him.
Bailey: Big mistake. All the best to him.
Jim Hearson: Feels a bit like the Gary O'Neil decision - everything is working fine, but hoping the new person will take that extra step up. Huge risk anyway, especially when the person being replaced is as long-standing and well-liked as Gaz Braz.
Ben Everitt: Bit gutted with this decision, can't see any logical reason for it. Thank you for everything you have done for the club and the players who have shined under your guidance. We're remained afloat because of the sales the academy generated over the years. Forever a red!
Andrew: Playing devil's advocate: Johnson has come through the academy and done exceptionally well. Who was the last player to have an impact? (It’s not Cash because he didn’t come through the academy) Yates/Worrall…that’s not a lot of players recently. Maybe change can be OK?
UFO nerd: Damn that one stings
Garteh Roberts: Hard to explain this one. Yates, Worrall, Johnson. None would have happened without Gaz Braz. Or the millions made from Burke, Appiah, Brereton, Cash.
Cameron Clark: Gutted to see him leave, the guys has been a crucial part of us from helping generate much needed funds by selling academy players to take over the first team when required. He can leave with his head held high. Time will tell whether this decision was a good one!
Marc: Club needs to continue evolving. How old is Gary Brazil? Maybe like MON (Martin O'Neil), his methods are dated, and no one knows outside of the club, so stop speculating. It's a pointless exercise... great servant, developed some great championship talent, but for Christ's sake move on...
Julie Anne Pither: What a bizarre decision by the club.
