NOTTINGHAM, England Nottingham Forest, bottom of England's Premier League, sacked manager Dave Bassett on Tuesday after 22 months in charge at the city ground. The decision was taken in the wake of Saturday's 1-0 home defeat in the FA Cup by first division Portsmouth. Forest are anchored to the bottom following a record run of 17 Premier League games without a win.

Speculation had been rife after the FA Cup tie that Bassett would resign, but the former Wimbledon boss vowed to carry on the fight to stop the Midlands club from being relegated for a third time in six years. Bassett was visibly shocked and upset after being informed of his sacking by chief executive Phil Soar, and accused the board of being insensitive and rude.

In a bungled statement to the media Soar initially claimed Bassett would be leaving the club by mutual consent before adding: I'm sorry I'll rephrase that the board of Nottingham Forest regrets to announce that Dave Bassett will be leaving the club. The board wishes sincerely to thank him for everything he's achieved over the last two years and wishes him the very best in the future.

The club will make an announcement about the appointment of a new manager in due course. Assistant manager Micky Adams will take temporary charge of the team although media reports said Ron Atkinson, former Manchester United, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City boss, was set to replace Bassett. Soar declined to say if Atkinson, who is on holiday in Barbados, was the board's sole target.

(Reuter)