Steve Cooper sacked by Nottingham Forest with Nuno Espirito Santo set to arrive as replacement

Steve Cooper sacked by Nottingham Forest with Nuno Espirito Santo set to arrive as replacement

WATCH NOW: Paul Coyte's sports round-up 19/12/2023

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 19/12/2023

- 15:03

Updated: 19/12/2023

- 15:41

The 44-year-old has guided his side to just one win from their last 13 matches

Steve Cooper has been sacked by Nottingham Forest with Nuno Espirito Santo set to arrive as his replacement.

Cooper guided the club to Premier League promotion in 2022, while also ensuring they beat the drop last term.


Forest have struggled in the top flight so far this season, however, winning just three of their 17 matches.

After a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham over the weekend, they sit just five points above Luton Town in the relegation zone.

Steve Cooper Nottingham Forest

Steve Cooper has been sacked by Nottingham Forest after overseeing a difficult season so far

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Cooper often had the backing of Forest fans during his time at the City Ground.

Yet he's now paid the price for the club's struggles this season, with the Premier League side opting to relieve him of his duties.

The Daily Mail say owner Evangelos Marinakis has been left 'unsatisfied' by the club's displays this season.

Cooper was close to being removed from his post earlier this month after a 5-0 defeat to Fulham on December 6.

But Forest have now opted to wield the axe now.

Nuno is now expected to take over at the City Ground.

The Portuguese has managed in the Premier League before, having previously enjoyed successful stint in charge of Wolves.

Nuno was also briefly manager of Tottenham, though lasted just 17 matches before being sacked.

However, the 49-year-old isn't the only name in the frame when it comes to potentially taking over.

Marinakis is said to be considering hiring Oliver Glasner, who is out of work following his departure from Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of last season.

Another boss admired by the Forest owner is Julen Lopetegui.

The Spaniard, who has also been linked with Manchester United, left Wolves before the start of the season.

And Fulham's Marco Silva can't be entirely ruled out, either.

Silva previously worked under Marinakis at Olympiacos and has been widely praised for the work he's done in west London over the past few years.

Cooper admitted earlier this month that he'd spoken to the board about his future.

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Nuno Espirito Santo

Steve Cooper is set to be replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo by Nottingham Forest

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"I spoke to Miltos (Marinakis) on the phone about the game, and Ross Wilson (chief football officer)," he said prior to a meeting with Wolves.

"We just spoke about the game.

"It was a good conversation, as it always is. We all got on the bus and back on the laptops and carried on.

"But I've not heard from anyone else. We were back in early and carrying on with our day's work.

"I won't walk out of here fearing for my job, that's a terrible thing to think."

Steve Cooper Nottingham Forest

Steve Cooper guided Nottingham Forest to Premier League promotion in 2022

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"All I will think about is changing last night into something more positive."

Forest fans have started to pay tribute to Cooper, too, with one user saying: "So, so sad to see that Steve Cooper has been sacked. Forever a red."

A second said: "Best of luck to him in his next job.

A third said: "Not sure any sacked manager has ever received so much love from the fans. Steve Cooper changed everything at Forest and I'm not sure how he will be followed."

And a fourth stated: "Sad to see Steve Cooper leave the club. He's given us memories we'll treasure forever, taking us back up to the premier league after 23 years. Thank you and all the best for the future boss."

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