Journalist and transfer insider Dean Jones believes Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper is in “danger” but still will be able to land another job if he is sacked before the end of the season, or leaves in the summer.
Forest currently sit 18th in the Premier League with seven games left, and are on a wretched run of four wins and one draw in their past five games.
The 43-year-old took charge of The Garibaldi when the club were flirting with relegation in the Championship in September 2021 and transformed their fortunes – guiding them back to the Premier League for the first time since 1999.
Nottingham Forest manager news
Since then he has overseen 2-0 defeats to Aston Villa and Manchester United which has left Forest on the brink of relegation with Liverpool, Brighton, Chelsea and Arsenal all yet to play.
It is the second time Cooper has been backed by his owner this season, after he signed a new contract in October with the club bottom of the Premier League amidst mass speculation that he would be relieved of his duties.
What has Dean Jones said about Steve Cooper’s future?
Speaking in an interview with This is Futbol, Jones states his belief that, although Cooper’s job is undoubtedly under threat, he has shown enough to land another job should he leave Forest.
On Cooper’s future, the journalist said:
“Anyone in this situation is in danger. Cooper is no different, as far as I’m concerned.
“No matter what the public statements are. I think the thing is for Cooper is that he has such a good reputation in the game, he’d easily land another job anyway even if he does end up leaving.”
What’s next for Steve Cooper?
With Forest’s perilous position in the Premier League, it would be easy to judge Cooper on what has been a difficult season back in the top flight.
However, the record 21 signings made last summer, and another seven made in January, has made any sort of settled starting eleven extremely difficult for him to achieve.
The job he did of guiding the club up through the play-offs last year has shown his abilities as a manager – being labelled as “remarkable” by former Forest and Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell.
Whether he manages to keep Forest in the Premier League or not, he has shown he can transform the fortunes of a club and will therefore be on the radar of several top sides.