GETTY Former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has emerged as the bookies' favourite

Former Rangers and Brentford boss Warburton was axed by City Ground chiefs this morning after nine months in charge. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is expected to waste little time in appointing a new manager. Paddy Power have installed Karanka as the leading contender at 3/1 to fill the vacancy. He guided Middlesbrough to Championship promotion in 2016. Former England boss Steve McClaren and ex-Leeds and Boro gaffer Garry Monk are both 6/1 shots. Forest academy gaffer Gary Brazil, who has taken caretaker charge, is also 6/1 to be given the job on a permanent basis. Why have Nottingham Forest sacked Mark Warburton? Who will be in charge against Leeds?

GETTY Nottingham Forest have axed Mark Warburton

Warburton was given the boot in the wake of yesterday’s 1-0 home defeat to Sunderland. His assistant David Weir and director of football Frank McParland have also left the club. A statement read: “The club would like to thank Mark, David and Frank for all their efforts during their time at The City Ground.” Warburton, who was attempting to change the team’s style of football with one of the Championship’s youngest squads at his disposal, pleaded for time in the wake of the Sunderland loss. “The one commodity managers need is time,” he said. “I use Lee Johnson as the example because he had a tough run. He had eight straight defeats and one win in 19 at one stage last season. Bristol City stuck with him and look where they are now.

PADDY POWER