Stuart Pearce was sacked as Nottingham Forest manager on Sunday and replaced less than an hour later by fellow former club stalwart, Dougie Freedman.

Pearce was axed just a day after the former European champions lost 1-0 to Millwall in the English second tier.

That defeat left Forest in 12th place in the table, 13 points off the play-off places and with a place in the Premier League quickly fading as a consequence.

The club then issued a statement announcing the appointment of Freedman, who played for them from 1998-2000, as the new manager.

Freedman has already managed in the Championship having been in charge of Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers.

“Dougie Freedman has taken over at The City Ground with immediate effect,” said a statement.

Earlier Sunday, the club said that Pearce had been relieved of his duties but that the former England international was considering a new role within the club.

“After long discussions between owner and chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi and manager Stuart Pearce, the club has decided that Stuart will be relieved of his role as manager with immediate effect,” said a statement.

“Mr Al Hasawi has offered Stuart an alternative role at the club, which he is currently considering.”

The 52-year-old Pearce returned to the City Ground, where he enjoyed twelve years as a player, last summer.

But Saturday’s home defeat to Millwall was their sixth defeat in seven matches and left them with just one win in 11.

Pearce was appointed as Billy Davies’ successor towards the end of last season, but did not take up his role until the summer.

The ex-Manchester City boss becomes the sixth manager to be sacked by Al Hasawi.

Former Dynamo Moscow manager Dan Petrescu has already been linked with the Forest job, while Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough, who also played for Forest, is also an early favourite for the role.

Back in their glory days, Forest were champions of the old English first division in 1978 and were European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980.

Freedman’s rapid appointment left many in the game perplexed.

“Forest pretty quick to appoint a new manager. Obviously made their decision a while ago,” tweeted former England striker Michael Owen.