USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner bids emotional farewell to Steve Cooper after Nottingham Forest manager's dismissal - despite being dropped for shaky start to the season

Cooper was sacked on Tuesday after two seasons where he won the adoration of Forest fans, taking the club from bottom of the Championship to the Premier League where they comfortably survived in their first top-flight season in 23 years. Like so many others at the club, it seems that Turner had a great deal of affection for his former manager despite being dropped by him this season.

"Thank you for trusting in me and giving me the opportunities I always dreamed of!" posted Turner on Instagram. "All the best in what’s to come"

It's been a topsy-turvy season for Turner who started the season as Cooper's first-choice goalkeeper and held on to the position for the opening 10 games before being benched for Odysseas Vlachodimos.

Turner rallied once again to win the starting spot back but a disastrous outing against Tottenham Hotspur, in what proved to be Cooper's last game, has led many to presume that Vlachodimos will return in goal.

It will be intriguing to see who new manager — and former goalkeeper — Nuno Espirito Santo entrusts the gloves to at the City Ground. All eyes will be on the team-sheet when the new boss announces his first line-up against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.