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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Nottingham Forest sack Steve Cooper with Nuno Espirito Santo lined up as new manager

Nottingham Forest have sacked manager Steve Cooper after a poor run of results, with Nuno Espirito Santo expected to be appointed as his replacement.

Cooper was informed of the decision on Tuesday afternoon and confirmed by the club soon after. 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.”

Cooper has been on the brink of the sack for some weeks, having overseen just one win in 13 games, and has now been relieved of his duties with the club just five points above the relegation zone. Former Tottenham manager Nuno is expected to be in charge for the weekend clash against Bournemouth.

The Welshman was appointed in September 2021 with Forest at the bottom of the Championship and guided them back into the Premier League via the play-offs at the end of the season. Cooper has always enjoyed a good relationship with Marinakis, but has now paid the price for a poor run.

Nuno is unemployed after being sacked by Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ittihad in November. He won the title last season but was dismissed after 12 games of the new campaign.

Forest will be the 49-year-old former goalkeeper's third Premier League job. Nuno spent four years in charge of Wolves, guiding the club from the Championship and then back-to-back seventh-place finishes and a run to the Europa League quarter-finals before leaving in 2021.

He was appointed by Spurs soon after but lasted less than four months in charge after five defeats in seven games.

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