Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, has affirmed that Steve Cooper will remain manager despite the club’s struggles in the Premier League this season.
The East Midlands outfit returned to the English top-flight after a 23-year absence but they have struggled for form even after spending more than £150 million signing 30 players in two transfer windows.
The transfer deals include seven Africans – the Nigerian duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis, the Senegalese duo of Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate, the Ivorian duo of Willy Boly and Serge Aurier and Ghana’s Andre Ayew.
Forest currently sit in the 17th spot on the table, level on 27 points with 18th-placed Bournemouth and are winless in their last eight games (D3, L5), including Tuesday’s 2-1 loss at Leeds United which leaves them in serious danger of dropping into the relegation zone.
Despite their poor form, Marinakis still believes in Cooper who was awarded a new three-year contract extension last October.
“No one denies that our Club is in a difficult position in the Premier League, but we wish to end the speculation and the false and disruptive reporting in the media to confirm that Steve Cooper remains our manager at Nottingham Forest,” Marinakis said on the club website.
“We have all been disappointed with recent performances and it is very clear that a lot of hard work needs to be done to address this urgently. Results and performances must improve immediately.
“Now is the time for everyone connected with our club, from us as owners, to the board, our supporters, backroom staff, coaches and players – to come together and fight to secure our status in the Premier League.
“There can be no time for distractions, rumours and speculation. There is only time for hard work, determination, a commitment from Steve and the players to getting the results we need and, of course, the continued magnificent support of the fans of Nottingham Forest.”
"No one denies that our Club is in a difficult position in the Premier League, but we wish to end the speculation and the false and disruptive reporting in the media to confirm that Steve Cooper remains our manager at Nottingham Forest."
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) April 5, 2023
Forest will hope to get their first league win since February 5 when they make a short trip to Birmingham to face Aston Villa on Saturday.
