Steve Cooper may be fighting for his position as manager of Nottingham Forest, but nothing can tarnish one of the most impressive managerial jobs in recent times.
When Cooper took charge at the City Ground, Forest were bottom of the Championship and it would have been a fine achievement to guide them into mid-table that season. Instead, Cooper ensured they were promoted for the first time this century.
Once in the top flight, Cooper had a new-look squad to manage and little input into recruitment. It was often a chaotic campaign, hampered by injuries to key players, but Cooper still kept them going.
Although this season has been slow, Cooper has had to work again with a reformed playing group and lost key forward Brennan Johnson, who joined Tottenham for almost £50 million last summer.
Last season Forest were bottom of the table at this stage. A year on, they sit comfortably above the drop zone despite Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Brighton, with Cooper looking to change the playing style and integrate new signings in addition to picking up points.
Forest’s poor form has put Steve Cooper’s position as boss under some pressure
Cooper guided Forest to promotion in 2022, taking the job when the side were bottom
But they have struggled with their form of late, with Forest losing three of their last four league matches
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The downside is that owner Evangelos Marinakis has invested £270 million in new players since his promotion and would probably like a quicker return on his investment, but even such a large sum does not guarantee success.
This is Aston Villa’s fifth consecutive season in the Premier League and only now are they hitting the cutting edge, with Unai Emery – one of the best coaches in the world – at the helm.
Where other managers shy away from Forest’s history, Cooper has embraced it.
“He’s very professional and very stylish,” said Garry Birtles, who scored the only goal for John Robertson in the 1980 European Cup final against Hamburg.
“(Fellow Forest legend) John McGovern and I went to meet him and from the training you could see what an impressive coach he is.”
When Marinakis decided to show faith in Cooper last season, McGovern said: “I think the owner has been absolutely brilliant. He knows Steve literally performed a miracle in getting us into the Premier League and he has remained loyal. You have to give him some time.’
Mail Sport understands Cooper turned down two Premier League jobs during his time at the City Ground as his affection for the club runs deep – much like Marinakis’.
It is believed that the couple’s relationship has become increasingly strained recently, which is a great shame.
Because with Marinakis’ wealth, experience and network, coupled with Cooper’s skill at managing players and coaching acumen, this should be a partnership that will stay the course.
Although the Welshman selected very few of the players Forest signed during his reign, he acknowledged that some – such as Brazilian pair Danilo and Murillo – were excellent prospects. Others, such as Taiwo Awoniyi, Orel Mangala and Nicolas Dominguez, were bright recruits who Cooper was able to develop.
Forest have dropped points this season but are still 14th. If Marinakis had gotten that when Cooper joined in September 2021, he would have been pretty happy.
Elite clubs have virtually unlimited resources and a weekly wage bill that would barely be covered by a Euromillions jackpot.
Former Forest star Garry Birtles (R) has praised Steve Cooper for his professionalism and urged the team to give Cooper ‘a bit of time’
Forest have let points slip this season, particularly on Saturday after back-to-back defeats to West Ham and Brighton
Owner Evangelos Marinakis has invested £270 million in new players since promotion and his wealth and experience, coupled with Cooper’s management style, mean they are a great partnership
Forest, meanwhile, host Everton on Saturday and can move up to 10th, level with Chelsea and Brentford on points
Brighton beat Forest 3-2 yesterday after scoring a late penalty and Cooper was furious at the decision to award the Seagulls the spot-kick after the match
Meanwhile, it appears Forest could have a strong interest in Julen Lopetegui as a potential replacement for Cooper
Even reaching the top 10 – which is Marinakis’ goal – is a huge task. Aston Villa had to hire Emery to do it and Forest are unlikely to be able to recruit a coach of that caliber.
There is a lot of interest in Julen Lopetegui, who did well to keep Wolves afloat last season, but he is not in Emery’s class. Furthermore, Cooper’s team defeated Emery’s earlier in November and there was nothing in the matches between Forest and Lopetegui’s Wolves last season, both of which ended in draws in normal time.
Marinakis’ only goal is to keep the club on an upward trajectory. Only time will tell, but the risk is that by removing Cooper the forest owner would create a problem instead of finding a solution. Saturday’s meeting with Everton feels crucial.