Nottingham Forest sack Steve Cooper with his successor set to be confirmed

Nottingham Forest sack Steve Cooper with his successor, ex-Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, set to be confirmed in due course.

Cooper has been axed after one win in 13 matches and lost five of his side’s past six games, with defeat against Tottenham last week proving to be his final game in charge.

Reports state that Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked by Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ittihad just months after he won the title there, will be their new boss.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner had also been another contender as a possible replacement, someone who ‘expressed a willingness to take the job’, but it’s Nuno that interests Evangelos Marinakis even more.

Julen Lopetegui is another one who had been on Nottingham’s Forest’s radar but talks with the ex-Wolves manager didn’t progress.

Forest currently sit 17th in the table with 14 points taken from 17 games played in the Premier League and are 5 points above the drop zone while third-bottom side Luton have a game in hand.

Nottingham Forest confirms the departure of head coach Steve Cooper.

Everyone at Nottingham Forest would like to thank Steve for his superb contribution to our football club and wish him well in his future endeavours.

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 19, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

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.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis said: “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.”

The Club will make a further announcement on the appointment of a new head coach in due course.

This is how fans reacted as Nottingham Forest sack Steve Cooper with his successor set to be confirmed…

@Camclarky: ♥️♥️♥️ Always welcome in Nottingham Steve. Thank you for the memories, The trip to Wembley, The cup runs and for helping give us our club back. Super Cooper ❤️. To Mr Marinakis, completely understand the decision but it’s a risky one, hope it pays off.

@NealeEidos: The end of a wonderful 2 years. Thanks for everything Steve. I’ll be raising a glass to celebrate your time here – the fairytale promotion, the win which confirmed safety… and most of all, the return of hope and a genuinely positive connection between fans and club. 🙏 #nffc

@PaulCheetham5: Bad decision. Others need to take a look at themselves, some players and recruitment.

@ENG2Stars1Day: Thank you Steve. You gave me back my club at a time when I thought that that could never happen again. The club is making a huge mistake and we will pay the price.

@djhuthwaite: Sad to see Steve go, he has given us the best years some of us have ever seen. Thank you! But remember the scenes when cooper was appointed, it was very negative. Now, we move on and hope to progress with a great team with great potential. #nffc

@RichTheRed252: Gutted, like when Clough and Clark left. Cooper has been immense for us and would have loved it to work out for him but life goes on. Don’t get the hate for EM, been patient when compared to other owners in the EPL and has been a huge part of the success too.

@brianhboyle: After two and a half years of unsettling calm, we return to the warm embrace of our familiar state: turmoil

@NFFC_owen: I feel cold. I feel sick. We wanted it, we need it. But this is not how we wanted it to happen

@GREENYPUNXI: Genuinely heartbreaking to see. It’s been said a thousand times before and should be said so many more times from the bottom of my heart. Thank You. #NFFC

@Tay03Jack: Gave most of us the greatest moment in our lives supporting Nottingham Forest. Massive shame how everything has gone but the biggest good luck to him for the future. Great manager and great bloke

@LoweyNFFC: Thanks for everything Coops!! What a journey ❤️

@Willh1985: Always a Forest legend and made what looked impossible possible. So much gratitude Steve and wish you nothing but the best ❤️

@bradder5: Steve, Thank you. You’ve given me some of my greatest Forest memories with my Dad and you made a city believe again. I’m sure your name will ring loudly again soon

@norrisee:
Steve Cooper has gone #NFFC
Last 2 years has been quite the ride.
✅ An incredible run to play offs
✅ Semi final win on pens
✅ Cup Run
✅ First time and win at new Wembley
✅ PL survival and big wins at home
✅ Brought the fan base together and that atmos
✅ …Forest are Magic

@ColinG97221394: I was Cooper out, also wanted to do better with him. I am sad he has gone, I’m also happy we have a new coach. I’m confident of what’s ahead, and also scared of the future. Being a human is a hell of a ride, we are always told life is not Black&White but its certainly Red #NFFC

@Debs90181034: I’ve already said it but thanks for everything Steve. We all have so many great memories that we will cherish for ever! Please do visit!!! I wish you every success for your future career and hope you smash it! ❤️

@Rickdagless1: Thanks for everything Steve, authentic, genuine and an all round decent human being. It was about more than just the football, you got it and we got you. The memories me and my boys have made are priceless. Absolute best of luck with whatever the future brings you. Legend. #NFFC

@cosenstom: Thing is, Cooper wasn’t just a coach , he was Nottingham. Feel for him , I’ll keep saying it but a lot of those players wasn’t his signings and you could see the cracks a mile off . Be remembered as a legend , I’m not sure where the club go from here , he united a City. ❤️ #NFFC

@bondkaren76: A terrible decision and one we will regret for years to come 🥹💔 Steve Cooper brought the stability we have craved for years, made us fall back in love with our club and gave us many reasons to be proud of our team. No manager will care about #NFFC as much as Coops did 🌳🫶

@dingdinghopkin: Actually made me well up reading this. Incredible journey and person. Will always be a hero 🔴⚪️🔴

@JonLongGame: Good luck Steve thanks for everything..got to say I’m not sure this is the right decision but we can’t sleepwalk into relegation…just not entirely sure whoever comes in will be an upgrade!

Thank you, for everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VicUkNilPP

— Louis Wheeldon (@LouisWheeldonNS) December 19, 2023

You Made this happen Gaffer 🤝🫡 #NFFC pic.twitter.com/xHKHlHKkzy

— Zac Maddock (@ZacMaddock) December 19, 2023

#nffc thanks coops for the best day ever, pic.twitter.com/E3xKFsdraW

— Andrew (@andybutts1964) December 19, 2023