Leeds United manager Javi Gracia has said that Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has his ‘support’ amid growing speculation over his job at the City Ground.
Forest’s fight against relegation at the end of the season took another blow on Tuesday night as the side fell to a 2-1 loss against relegation rivals in Leeds. Goals from Jack Harrison and Luis Sinisterra completed a first half turnaround by the Whites after Orel Mangala’s 12th minute opener.
The result leaves the Reds only out of the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference and winless in their last eight league games. Forest take on European chasing Aston Villa at Villa Park in their next outing.
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The poor run of form has led to growing speculation over manager Cooper’s future at the club. There were national media reports on Tuesday that Forest were lining up a move for former Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira, but those are understood to be false .
Following the game, Leeds boss Gracia was asked about the pressure that Cooper finds himself under.
“That question isn't it for me but I wish all the coaches the best and this is what I can say, my support for all of them,” he said, via LeedsLive . “All of us we try to do our job as best as possible and that decisions aren’t for us.”
Gracia himself replaced the outgoing Jesse Marsch at Elland Road earlier this year, as Leeds looked to move away from the relegation zone by making a managerial change. Leicester City’s decision to part ways with Brendan Rodgers over the weekend make Forest just one of two clubs in the battle for survival yet to change managers.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Cooper said that he’s not thinking about the pressure .
"I respect the question, and I understand it 100 percent, but I’m just not that guy that thinks like that,” he said, when asked about his position. “I always think of the greater good of the club.
“Any sort of worry, disappointment, frustration I’m feeling right now is the fact that Forest have lost a game we could have done so much better in. That’s just the way I’m wired.”
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