While the fate of Stuart Pearce was not unexpected, the announcement of his successor within hours of Pearce's departure on Sunday afternoon was a surprise, as was the name of the new man at the helm.
Dougie Freedman's managerial career to date contains ups and downs (in common with almost anyone else Forest could have appointed) but he will have to hit the ground running to avoid the fate of all the others who have occupied the City Ground dug-out in recent seasons.
The appointment bears some similarities to that of Alex McLeish, installed almost immediately after the axe fell on Sean O'Driscoll. McLeish lasted less than two months in the role.
His fellow Scot does not come with the baggage that McLeish had from relegation with Birmingham City and a disappointing spell at Aston Villa but the nature of the job he has taken on, and the division it is in, means Freedman needs to be an almost instant success.