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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Cooper sacked by Forest</li><li>Much loved by fans and players</li><li>Nuno lined up as replacement</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Steve Cooper sacked! Popular Nottingham Forest boss becomes latest Premier League managerial casualty with Nuno Espirito Santo lined up as replacement

Premier League

Burnley

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Steve Cooper after a dire run of form, with Nuno Espirito Santo poised to take over at the helm.According to <a href="https://theathletic.com/5148541/2023/12/19/steve-cooper-sack-nottingham-forest/" target="_blank">The Athletic</a>'s David Ornstein, the former Tottenham and Wolves boss is best placed to take over from Cooper, who remains a popular figure among fans and players alike. However, after just one league win in their last 13 - which sees Forest in 17th in the Premier League - the club have made the difficult decision to part ways with their coach of just over two years.

WHAT HAPPENED?

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.”

WHAT NOTTINGHAM FOREST SAID 

Cooper took charge of Forest in September 2021 with the club bottom of the Championship. His appointment sparked a remarkable turnaround, with Forest comfortably earning a play-off spot. An epic semi-final win over Sheffield United saw them head to Wembley where they beat Huddersfield Town to return to the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/nottingham-forest-beat-huddersfield-to-end-23-year-premier-league-exodus-in-dramatic-championship-play-off-final/blt568ed6b22ecd233e" target="_blank">Premier League after a 23-year absence.</a>Cooper again defied the odds last season. Incorporating a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/how-many-players-nottingham-forest-signed-list-every-deal-transfer-business-explained/blt875afd881aa8b555" target="_blank">bewildering amount of summer signings</a>, Forest were bottom in November, but Cooper galvanised his side to avoid relegation comfortably on the back of some memorable home performances.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Forest fans very much took Cooper to their hearts. The Welshman endeared himself the the City Ground faithful not just because of results on the pitch but his respect for the history of the club. Cooper reached out to many of the club's European Cup winning players, embracing their story and using them as inspiration during Forest's return to the big time.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barring a major surprise, Forest's top brass will now turn to Nuno whose last spell as manager in the Premier League ended unhappily after just four months in charge at Tottenham. Fans will be hoping Nuno can replicate the success he brought during his time at Wolves, who he guided from the Championship to the Europa League in just two seasons.

WHAT NEXT FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST?

Steve Cooper sacked! Popular Nottingham Forest boss becomes latest Premier League managerial casualty with Nuno Espirito Santo lined up as replacement | Goal.com

Nottingham Forest have reportedly sacked head coach Steve Cooper after a dire run of form, with Nuno Espirito Santo poised to take over at the helm.

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