Michael Owen has lauded Nottingham Forest boss and Tottenham managerial target Steve Cooper as ’terrific’ and added that the job he has done at the City Ground is ‘staggering’.
Following Nottingham Forest’s defeat to relegation rivals Leeds United on Tuesday night, there were suggestions that Steve Cooper was going to be sacked.
But, for the second time this season, the powers that be at the Midlands club sent out a message debunking those claims and backing their manager – Tottenham weren’t the only club keen on the 43-year-old, but Crystal Palace also.
Previously, when Cooper was backed in such a public manner, it worked wonders because Forest went on a strong run of form.
They seriously need that now, with less than ten games left, and ahead of their trip to in-form Aston Villa on Saturday, they have every chance of dropping into the Premier League’s relegation zone.
Of course, if Forest change their minds and sack Cooper, then Michael Owen thinks he won’t be short of offers, as he told MatchDay Extra on Premier League Productions (04/04/23 at 10:45 pm).
“I think Steve Cooper is a terrific manager,” said Owen. “Since he has come into Nottingham Forest, there aren’t many managers in the country that have done the job he has done, it’s staggering how well he has done.
“They are still outside of the drop zone. There are still some positives to be taken. They have got some very good players.
“It’s easy for me, it’s not my money, but if I was the owner of that club, let’s put it this way, if he was let go, then there would be a queue of other clubs wanting to take him.
“He is a real bright, young and British coach that has a huge future in the game.”
FOREST SHOULD STICK WITH COOPER
Even if Forest were to fall to a defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday, the noises inside the club shouldn’t change.
Yes, these are worrying times and they are in a bad run of form, and at the wrong time.
But, with nine teams in that battle, then only one result and one win can change the whole mood around the place.
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