Steve Cooper ‘wanted by two Premier League rivals’ if under-pressure Nottingham Forest boss leaves
NOTTINGHAM FOREST manager Steve Cooper is being eyed by two Premier League clubs.
Cooper has overseen a disappointing run with Forest who have only won one out of their last nine Premier League matches, of which they have lost four.
There are no indications pointing at a potential dismissal but results will have to improve and thus two Prem sides are keeping tabs on the Welsh tactician’s status at the Tricky Trees.
According to talkSPORT, West Ham and Crystal Palace are both weighing a potential bid for the 43-year-old if he becomes available.
Palace owner Steve Parish is a long-term admirer of Cooper and would seriously consider him as replacement for Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson has been doing a good job at Selhurst Park this season with the Eagles 10 points away from the relegation zone but the ex-England boss’ contract runs out in June.
The same goes for West Ham manager David Moyes, and thus the Hammers may have to look for a replacement just in case the ex-Manchester United head coach doesn’t extend.
Both teams are very keen on Cooper, who took over at Nottingham in 2021 when the team was bottom of the Championship.
However, the ex-England Under-17 manager turned things around almost immediately as he led Forest to the play-offs.
That in turn saw Nottingham returning to the Premier League after a 23-year absence during Cooper’s first season in charge.
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The team struggled at the beginning of last season and there were rumours club owner Evangelos Marinakis was considering sacking the Welshman.
But instead Marinakis maintained the faith and awarded the ex-Swansea boss with a new contract until 2025.
Cooper returned the favour by avoiding relegation on Forest’s first season back in the Premier League.
Nottingham haven’t been able to set the world alight this term either but are currently eight points away from the drop zone and are less likely to undergo another relegation scrap.