Steve Cooper comes out fighting as pressure on his position builds… with the Welshman insisting Nottingham Forest deserve ‘a manager who cares as much as I do’ ahead of key clash against Everton
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Steve Cooper insists Nottingham Forest need a manager willing to throw his heart and soul into his job as pressure mounts ahead of his side’s meeting with Everton on Saturday.
The Forest boss is being closely watched by the owner after one win from nine league games – even though the team were bottom of the Championship when Cooper took charge just two years ago.
The upcoming games against Everton, Fulham and Wolves could have a major impact on owner Evangelos Marinakis’ plans, although Cooper remains hugely popular with the majority of fans.
“I really enjoy being a manager when things seem to be going well here,” he said.
‘But I want to be the manager even more when it comes to a negative result or even a few negative results, because I think that’s what this club deserves: a manager who cares as much as I do.
Steve Cooper is under pressure for results at Nottingham Forest after they suffered another defeat
Owner Evangelos Marinakis is ambitious to climb the table rather than undergo another breakout act
‘You are never far from excessive praise and also the opposite, and some clubs will be louder than others.
‘I don’t pay attention to it. I didn’t do that last year and I won’t do that now or in the future.
“What is relevant to me is our work, our commitment to the players and the supporters and doing our utmost to make this season a progressive one again. There will be ups and downs.’
Marinakis has spent almost £300m on transfers over the past three spells and is targeting a top 10 finish this season.
The Greek shipping magnate’s ambition has never been in doubt, but it has meant Cooper has spent each of the past two summers working with a reformed team.
Forest lost 3-2 to Brighton last time out and now face a big game against Everton
Forest ended their first top-flight season this century by avoiding relegation and despite recent poor form they could rise to 12th in the table this weekend if they beat Everton and other results go in their favor.
Cooper added: ‘No one likes a few bad results but they will happen, especially where we are now as this is our second year in the Premier League and we are trying to progress. To make even a little bit of progress, there will be all kinds of highs and lows.
‘It’s one thing to be a manager when everything is going well, and it’s another thing to be a manager when it’s not. That’s what I want to be here because I care so much about the club.
‘We know our plan. We know our work. So far the club has made progress and our aim is to continue to do so.”