BBC Correspondent Mike Bushell: Bassett upset by "undignified" manner of his sacking

Bassett, 54, accepted his sacking after 22 months at the City Ground as "part and parcel of football" but was left fuming at how news of his exit had been leaked out.

"I think it's rude and disgusting to hear that you have been sacked through the columns of a national newspaper," he said.

"I am upset that the club have not seen fit to deal with the matter in a much more dignified way.

BBC Sport correspondent Gordon Farquhar reports

"I was sacked earlier in my footballing life at Watford and that was done with a great deal of dignity.

"I was called to meet Elton John, we discussed things, had a glass of champagne and went our way with the shake of a hand. We've remained friends ever since - and that's the way it should be."

Adams takes charge

Bassett led Forest to the First Division title last season but the top flight's bottom club recently set a new Premier League record when they went 17 games without a win.

In a short statement, Forest chief executive Philip Soar confirmed Bassett's departure and revealed that assistant manager Micky Adams would take charge of first-team affairs at Coventry on Saturday.

He said: "The Board of Nottingham Forest Football Club regrets to announce that Dave Bassett will be leaving the club.

"The Board wishes sincerely to thank Dave for everything he has achieved with the club in the past 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.

"In the meantime, it is proposed that Micky Adams will take charge of the team against Coventry City this Saturday."

Meanwhile Ron Atkinson has confirmed long-running speculation by revealing that he has been approached by the club to be Bassett's successor.

The former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday boss said from the West Indies, where he is on holiday, that he would consider the offer and make his decision by next week.

Bassett had insisted reports of his demise were premature on Saturday when supporters chanted for him to be sacked following the 1-0 home defeat by Division One strugglers Portsmouth in the FA Cup third round.

But with Forest one point adrift of Southampton at the foot of the league, Bassett conceded that it could be time for a change scenery.

"It's part and parcel of football and it's one of those things you know can happen when you enter the world of football management."

Dutch strike

The former Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, Watford and Sheffield United boss was appointed as Forest's general manager in February 1997, with former favourite Stuart Pearce in charge of team affairs.

He was unable to save Forest from the drop despite being appointed first team boss in May, but his team romped to the First Division title last season with Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk scoring 29 league goals.

However, it was van Hooijdonk who contributed to Bassett's downfall when he went on a one-man strike, claiming he was angry with the club's lack of ambition.

Van Hooijdonk ended his strike after three months but by then Forest were struggling badly without his firepower and firmly entrenched in the relegation zone.