Steve Cooper: Nottingham Forest expected to sack manager if they lose at Wolves

Steve Cooper is expected to be sacked by Nottingham Forest, unless he gets a positive result against Wolves on Saturday, Sky Sports News has been told.

The feeling among the playing squad and other members of staff at the City Ground is similar – that a fifth-straight Premier League defeat at Molineux will lead inevitably to a managerial change.

There is a feeling of malaise within the squad, Sky Sports News has been told, with the club hierarchy increasingly of the belief that fresh ideas are needed. Specifically, there has been a difference of opinion between the coaching staff and players over tactics in recent games.

Forest’s bosses fear Cooper is becoming increasingly worn down and frustrated in the job.

Nevertheless, the Forest travelling support were still chanting Cooper’s name at Craven Cottage even as the fourth goal was scored in a 5-0 defeat to Fulham on Wednesday night.

Cooper acknowledged that support at full time, pointing to his heart and then the fans. It’s thought he retains the support of the majority of Forest supporters, having led the club back to the Premier League after a 23-year absence.

Forest have lost five out of their last six Premier League matches – the only victory in that time was an impressive 2-0 win over high-flying Aston Villa.

Cooper held his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Wolves on Thursday morning, with reports claiming that former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is a serious contender to take over if the Welshman is sacked.

But Cooper dismissed fears about losing his job as pressure mounts on him and insisted he cannot consider the sack.

He said: “I don’t think like that. That is not a good way to think, it is like saying to a player ‘you have to play well or you will not play again’ – it is not a thought process I believe in using.

“We are disappointed with results and last night’s performance. More than ever you have to show belief and character, and what you stand for.

“There are going to be questions and stories, I respect that, as it is the life of a football manager.

“At the same time, you have to stay honed in on your day’s work and, if I let anything else creep in, I am not giving 100 per cent to the job and that is what I want to do.”

Cooper, who took Forest back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years in 2022, said after the hammering at Craven Cottage that he did not deserve the backing from the fans he received as he left the pitch.

He he also refused to blame his players for their showing on Wednesday after doubles from Alex Iwobi, Raul Jimenez and a late Tom Cairney strike sunk the visitors.

The 43-year-old said: “I would never split myself from the players. We are a collective.

“It’s not about me getting let down, it’s the supporters who were let down by all of us – and that starts with me.”