Steve Cooper signs new Nottingham Forest contract

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 07 October 2022

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper signs a new three-year contract, just days after it was claimed that the deal had been taken off the table.

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has signed a new three-year contract, keeping the Welshman at the City Ground until 2025.

Despite guiding the East Midlands outfit to promotion to the Premier League during 2021-22, Cooper has spent much of this season seemingly under pressure.

That has particularly rang true in recent weeks with Forest suffering five successive defeats in the top flight, conceding 18 goals in the process.

According to reports, the offer of a new deal had been taken off the table due to Cooper not wanting to commit his future past the end of this campaign.

Furthermore, it was claimed that owner Evangelos Marinakis was considering alternatives in the dugout and ready to instigate a shake-up behind the scenes.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper celebrates after the match on March 16, 2022 © Reuters

However, Forest announced on Friday morning that they had agreed fresh terms with the 42-year-old, tying him to the club for the next three years.

During the formalities of a statement made on the club's official website, Forest alluded to the recent speculation regarding Cooper.

It read: "It is now important that our focus is solely on football. As a group we are all concentrated and will do everything we can to help the team move up the league table and once again demonstrate our qualities that led us to the Premier League."

The development comes two days after Forest appointed Filippo Giraldi as their new sporting director, the intention being to bring more stability to the club's transfer business going forward.

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper during defeat at Leicester City on October 3, 2022. © Reuters

During the summer transfer window, in excess of 20 players were signed for the first team as Forest attempted to make an impact after winning the Championship playoffs.

Instead, Forest currently sit at the bottom of the standings with four points, their sixth defeat from eight matches coming at rivals Leicester City by a 4-0 scoreline on Monday night.

To coincide with talk of Cooper potentially being sacked, speculation has persisted regarding interest from other teams, including from Southampton who are reportedly contemplating sacking Ralph Hasenhuttl.

However, Cooper will now remain at Forest in the long term and continue his preparations for Monday's home fixture against Aston Villa.