Nottingham Forest have apparently asked Portsmouth for permission to speak to Steve Cotterill about becoming their new manager. However, Forest officials have told BBC Radio Nottingham that they have NOT approached the Pompey manager.
The silence from CSI and Cotterill himself has made the situation unclear, but what is clear is that neither Forest or Bristol City interviewed Cotterill yesterday as reported by the national media as the Pompey manager was taking training sessions as per usual.
It is reported that Pompey will demand £300,000 compensation for Cotterill should he be tempted away from Fratton Park although that seems to be pure speculation. That would also be a problem for tight-fisted Forest who refused to pay Charlton £500,000 compensation for Paul Hart a few days ago.
And whilst the local news says that Steve is "open to staying" that doesn't mean he isn't going to leave, especially as he still has a house in Nottingham.
The whole situation is a confusing "will he or won't he?" scenario right now. The silence from both camps suggests that something is going on and the bookies have now shortened their odds further on Cotterill being appointed as Forest manager as well as being the next Championship manager to leave his post.
So perhaps it won't be long before many Pompey fans get their wish and Cotterill leaves for pastures new.