Ex-Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri ‘rejected a three-year deal to take over from Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest’… THREE MONTHS after the Portuguese manager succeeded Steve Cooper

Maurizio Sarri could have been appointed as Nottingham Forest manager ‘a few days after he resigned as Lazio’s head coach’, according to reports. 

The 65-year-old walked away from his role at the Serie A club after his side had suffered a fourth-straight defeat in all competitions to Udinese on March 11.

With his team slumping to ninth in the Italian top-flight and being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich, the Eagles reportedly accepted his resignation due in part to his ‘complicated’ relationship with the club’s president Claudio Lotito. It is also understood that the club would have ‘parted ways with the Italian later on’ had results not improved.

According to journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Nottingham Forest had called Sarri and attempted to appoint him as their head coach just days after he had decided to leave Lazio ‘with the request to immediately take over from Espirito Santo’. 

Forest, who announced they would be appealing their four-point sanction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules on Monday, had reportedly tried to lure the Italian to the club with a ‘three-year contract and the promise of a major transfer next summer if they avoided relegation this season’. 

It comes less than three months after the club had appointed Nuno Espirito Santo 

On Monday, Forest announced they would be appealing their four-point points deduction (pictured Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis)

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But Sarri rejected the proposals, with reports claiming that the former Chelsea and Juventus boss wants to take some time out before returning to the dugout next season. 

It comes less than three months after the club appointed Espirito Santo as their boss on a two-and-a-half-year contract. 

The Portuguese manager was hired to replace Steve Cooper after the Englishman had led his team to securing just one win in 13 league matches – leaving Forest 17th in the league standings. 

Under Espirito Santo, Forest have again struggled for results, with the Tricky Trees winning just three matches under their new boss, drawing two, while losing six.

That has also not been helped by their recent points sanction, which has pushed The Reds into the relegation zone, one point from Luton who sit 17th in the table.

Forest could also face a battle to keep key centre back Murillo as the club look to ease financial concerns this summer.

The club say they were ‘extremely disappointed’ by the deduction but are confident there are several issues in the judgement that merit an appeal. 

Sarri’s ‘complicated’ relationship with Lazio president Claudio Lotito (right) was part of the decision

Forest moved into the relegation zone after picking up the penalty and fell behind Luton Town

Forest admitted to overspending by £34.5million across a three-year period and had their punishment lessened after cooperating with the Premier League. 

Meanwhile, Sport Italia claim that Sarri could be waiting to take over as Fiorentina boss, with Vincenzo Italiano reportedly set to leave the club at the end of the season.