After recent poor form, with just one win in 13 league games, Steve Cooper has been officially relieved of his position, one which he held since September 2021, and earning ‘legendary status’ in the process after taking the club from the bottom of the championship to the Premier League, keeping the club in the league just a season later.
Espírito Santo, formerly of Rio Ave FC, Porto, Wolves, Spurs & Al-Ittihad, joins Nottingham Forest as the clubs new manager following Steve Cooper’s sacking. Santo returns to management after a stint in Saudi Arabia, which saw his side achieve a 64% win rate, winning the Saudi Pro League, the club’s first in fourteen years, and the Saudi Super Cup. At Wolves, Espírito Santo was heralded for high-place finishes in his first two seasons in the Premier League, consecutively finishing in 7th place, taking the club to Europe in the process, before his departure. His time at Spurs, while underwhelming, is no reason to shun the success he’s had in his 11-year managerial career.
A client of Jorge Mendes, Espírito Santo was the preferred choice of Evangelos Marinakis – as suggested by Guardian Sport earlier this week – with Lopetegui, another former Wolves boss, not taking talks further, and Oliver Glasner seen as less preferred option, in the eyes of the ownership. Mendes’ involvement with clubs owned by Marinakis has been frequent as of late – helping with the deal to acquire Rio Ave FC, helping his client Pedro Alves in becoming Olympiacos’ new Sporting Director, and of course his client Espírito Santo becoming the new manager at Nottingham Forest.
The Portuguese coach achieved a win rate of 47.4% at Wolves, and 47% at Tottenham Hotspur, playing predominantly the 3-4-3 formation at Wolves, and a 4-2-3-1, defensive system at Spurs.
A message about Steve Cooper:
The love for Steve Cooper will never be lost – a legend of the club. A man who really just “got it”, he understood what being a Forest manager truly meant; nobody will forget his professionalism, love, and passion for the club.
As an 18-year old, success in my era was notably limited to Majewski heroics, Derby day wins, and the occasional cup shock, but nothing as special as the promotion run, and Premier League survival. I owe a lot to Steve Cooper as a fan, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.
*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFC Nuno Espirito Santo has Premier League experience with Wolves & Spurs.
