Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has hailed the work done by Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest.
The Reds incumbent welcomes Villa to the City Ground on Monday night in desperate need of a win.
The pressure has been piled on Cooper following a run of five successive defeats in the Premier League.
Speculation this week has been rife over his future, although the club are giving him a stay of execution.
He will be in charge of Forest when Villa arrive on Trentside at the weekend and Gerrard has heaped praise on him.
The Villa boss told the club’s official website: “He’s had an incredible career so far and the job he’s done at Forest is out of this world.”
Cooper checked in at Forest just over a year ago.
When he arrived the club were rock-bottom of the Championship and had won just one game.
He refreshed the whole club and brought back the feel-good factor to the City Ground.
Cooper led Forest to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years and he’s etched his name into folklore.
He is worshipped on Trentside and it’s nice to hear Gerrard speak kindly about the Forest boss ahead of Monday’s fixture.
Cooper hailed by Gerrard
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that Forest are in good hands with Cooper at the helm.
He has already worked wonders at the club and any notion of him being sacked is frankly ridiculous.
Cooper has already been linked with Wolves and Southampton, whilst Brighton placed him on their shortlist recently.
As a result, getting rid of him and letting another Premier League club pounce just seems nonsensical.
Gerrard’s comments do serve to highlight another reason why Forest should keep hold of Cooper.
He’s respected by his peers and fellow Premier League clubs recognise what a fantastic coach he is.
The Forest hierarchy do have a decision to make in the coming weeks but they must think very carefully before doing anything hasty.
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