The Al Hasawi family bought the club from the estate of former chairman Nigel Doughty, who passed away in 2012, when former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill was in charge.
With suggestions of potential interference over the manager's decisions, Cotterill was quickly sacked as they, according to their own words, searched for an iconic manager. They interviewed Mick McCarthy but he quickly decided it wasn't for him.
That led to them turning to former coach Sean O'Driscoll who had left to take up the manager's role at Crawley. Without ever overseeing a game there he left to return to Forest and held the position until Boxing Day when he was sensationally sacked immediately after a 4-2 home win against Leeds.
The owners confirmed they were talking to a Premier League experienced manager and the day after appointed Alex McLeish who had overseen Birmingham's relegation in 2010 and then almost followed it up by taking Villa down a year later.
McLeish has lasted not much more than five weeks. It looked as though he was going last week over the George Boyd farce and today the club have confirmed his mutually agreed departure.
Chairman Fazaz Al-Hasawi said: "I'm bitterly disappointed, as is Alex, that it has not worked out as we had hoped when he became our manager and I would like to put on record my thanks for his services to the club and wish him every success in the future."
McLeish replied: "I am extremely saddened to be leaving after such a short period but even so it has been a privilege to be manager of such a fantastic football club and I want to thank the players, staff and fans for their support and wish Nottingham Forest the best of fortunes ahead."
Significantly, he added: "Both parties entered into the relationship in good faith, however, there was a difference in the understanding of the development strategy of the football club and it was felt by both parties that we should part company."
And who do Forest play this Saturday? It's Bristol City away, now managed by Sean O'Driscoll.
