Steve Cooper sacked by Nottingham Forest with Nuno Espirito Santo lined up
Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Steve Cooper with Nuno Espirito Santo lined up to replace him, Telegraph Sport understands.
Forest have won only one game in their last 13 and produced arguably their worst performances under Cooper in the recent defeats by Everton and Fulham, and owner Evangelos Marinakis has taken drastic action.
Marinakis watched Forest’s home defeat by Tottenham from his base in Athens and dismissed Cooper in a meeting with the board on Tuesday afternoon.
In a club statement, Forest said: “Steve Cooper has today been relieved of his duties as head coach of Nottingham Forest, following a spell of over two years in charge.
“Cooper departs The City Ground having played an integral part in Forest’s return to the Premier League, cementing himself firmly into the club’s rich history after guiding The Reds back into England’s top-flight.
“Appointed as head coach in September 2021, Steve galvanised Forest’s extraordinary rise up the Championship table and into the play-offs, culminating in a memorable win over Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium in May 2022. He then went on to manage the team for 55 matches in the Premier League.
“The club will make a further announcement on the appointment of a new head coach in due course.”
Marinakis added: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest would like to thank Steve for his superb contribution to our football club. His achievement in guiding Forest back to the Premier League will undoubtedly remain an iconic moment in the club’s history.
“We thank Steve for his dedication and commitment during his time with us, as well as the incredible connection he forged with our supporters and the city of Nottingham.
“Steve will always remain a friend of the club and will forever be welcome at The City Ground. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Former Wolves and Tottenham manager Nuno is expected to replace Cooper as he makes a return to English football after a spell at Saudi club Al-Ittihad, having emerged as the leading candidate to take the job. The Portuguese coach is understood to be flying in to the UK for talks.
The decision is likely to polarise opinion among Forest supporters, with many of those fans backing Cooper after he ended the club’s 23-year exile from the top division.
Yet a number of fans have also criticised Cooper this season and Marinakis has been growing increasingly frustrated after spending another £100 million on transfers over the summer.
Cooper was close to being dismissed in October last year, after a 4-0 defeat at Leicester City, but following talks it was decided to give him a new contract.
After being appointed in September 2021, Cooper inherited a team bottom of the Championship and then led them to promotion via the play-off final.
He then led them to safety last season, earning widespread praise for building a team culture after so many new signings.
Yet results this season have been disappointing and, after their latest defeat they are now only five points above Luton, who occupy 18th in the relegation zone.
Despite his dismissal, Cooper is likely to be coveted by a number of clubs including Crystal Palace if they decide to part company with Roy Hodgson.
Palace are admirers of Cooper, who turned 44 last Sunday, and could now make a move as he will be available without compensation after being sacked by Forest.
Forest return to Premier League action next Saturday with a home match against Bournemouth.
