Evangelos Marinakis, owner of Nottingham Forest, has released a statement to end speculation and false reporting about the future of manager Steve Cooper. Marinakis said that Cooper remains the manager of the club, but that results and performances must improve immediately. Cooper joined Forest in September 2021 and led them to their first Premier League season since 1999 in his first season. Since then, he has signed 29 players and spent over £160m.
Marinakis said that the club is in a difficult position in the Premier League, but that there can be no time for distractions, rumours and speculation. He stated that Cooper and his players need hard work, determination, and commitment to address the situation urgently. In October, Cooper signed a new contract until 2025 when the club were bottom of the table after eight games.
Cooper himself said that he had trained himself to focus on the stuff he can control, and that any worry or disappointment he is feeling is due to Forest losing a game they could have done better in. BBC Sport’s Simon Stone commented that Marinakis’ words make it clear that Forest need a form reversal, and that if they lose their Midlands derby at Aston Villa on Saturday, they will be in the bottom three.
Cooper still retains the backing of the majority of Forest fans, but it is clear that Marinakis’ patience is wearing thin. He has helped his manager by quietening the noise around him following the defeat at Leeds, and now Cooper and his team must deliver. It is clear that there is a lot of hard work to be done to improve results and performances, and it is up to Cooper and his team to make it happen.