Steve Cooper 'retains full backing of Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 30 November 2023

Cooper 'retains full backing of Forest owner Marinakis'

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is still committed to backing manager Steve Cooper, but insists that results must improve, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has reportedly received a vote of confidence from owner Evangelos Marinakis, but has been warned about the team's form.

Forest are currently on a run of just one win from nine games in the Premier League, and face relegation rivals Everton at the City Ground next on Saturday.

The pressure has risen on Cooper following a 3-2 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, where Forest struggled to create chances despite playing against 10 men for the final 20 minutes plus 10 minutes of added time.

Marinakis has spent heavily to try to meet his target of making Forest a top-10 Premier League team, but they are lagging behind that objective currently.

The club find themselves down in 15th, but they are eight points clear of the drop zone, aided heavily by Everton's 10-point deduction.

The Telegraph claims that the Greek billionaire still has absolute faith in Cooper, but has made it clear results must improve.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis pictured in February 2019 © Reuters

Upwards of £100m was spent over the summer, including breaking the club's transfer record to bring in Ibrahim Sangare from PSV Eindhoven, but Forest remain lingering near the relegation places.

The sale of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur for £47.5m was not ideal towards the end of the window though, now combined with the fact that Taiwo Awoniyi will now miss up to four months following groin surgery.

Given that Forest's next three games all appear winnable - versus Everton, Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers - they are allegedly reluctant to make any changes during such a potentially pivotal period, heading towards the festive period.

Marinakis's faith in Cooper paid off last season, as the Welshman overcame serious doubts about his future to lead Forest to survival, after bringing the side back into the Premier League following two decades away.

Reports suggest that the owner will provide more financial backing in the January window, especially now given Awoniyi's long-term injury.

Pressure on Cooper has also coincided with claims that Crystal Palace have shortlisted him as a potential replacement for Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson, along with Cooper, are among two of the favourites to be the first manager to leave their post in the Premier League this season, but that has reportedly not deterred Palace from eyeing up the Forest boss.