Steve Cooper has reflected on his successful tenure at Nottingham Forest. The former head coach discussed the collaboration that led the club to Premier League promotion in 2022 and survival the following season.
Cooper confirmed he maintains a healthy relationship with Marinakis to this day, describing the Greek shipping magnate as demanding and a winner. "He’s demanding. He’s a winner," Cooper said of the owner, who took over the club in 2017. The coach stressed that Marinakis never interfered with team selection or game plans, a point Cooper considers important given some external perceptions. Cooper said he would not hear from him before games, adding that they were always honest with each other and that winning naturally made the relationship easier. He acknowledged that Marinakis might offer opinions after matches, but said that was the owner's prerogative and something he could live with.
Cooper’s legacy at Forest
Cooper's time at the City Ground is defined by ending the club's long exile from the top flight. Nottingham Forest secured promotion via the Championship play-offs at Wembley in May 2022, a feat that remains deeply significant to supporters. He then guided the newly-promoted side to Premier League safety in the 2022-23 campaign. Cooper spoke passionately about the connection forged with the city and its "incredible" fanbase, calling Nottingham an amazing sporting city and the club itself amazing. He said the bonds created within the squad during the promotion season were unbreakable and that the connection with supporters was vital in handling the first year back in the Premier League.
The step up, however, necessitated a major squad overhaul. Forest signed many new players in the summer of 2022 and a further group in January 2023. Cooper admitted it is hard to manage such change after promotion due to the existing strong bonds, comparing the situation to other promoted clubs like Sunderland and Ipswich. He noted that some players who were important in that first survival season, like academy graduate Joe Worrall and Ryan Yates, remain important figures at the club now. He also praised the impact of players like Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White during his tenure.
Current context at the City Ground
Cooper's reflections come as Nottingham Forest handle another challenging Premier League season. The team currently sits in the table with points from matches, following a defeat at Crystal Palace last time out. Their recent form reads losses, draws and a win. The task does not get easier, with a home fixture against Arsenal next on the fixtures list. Fans can assess the squad's current composition and the league standings as the team looks to build momentum. Cooper's legacy of promotion and survival provides a benchmark as the club aims to consolidate its top-flight status once more.
More detail at nottinghampost.com
