Nottingham Forest legend Stuart Pearce has delivered a verdict on whether or not Steve Cooper should be sacked from his City Ground role.
In recent weeks the speculation has been rife. Now, it’s claimed that a poor result at Leeds tonight might signal the end for the 43-year-old, but Pearce has weighed in on TalkSPORT.
Cooper arrived at Forest in 2021. He replaced Chris Hughton with the club bottom of the Championship and took the team to promotion just months later.
The Premier League journey has been tough. Signing 23 new players in the summer has been tough to manage and Forest did struggle during the first half of the season.
Since the World Cup, Forest have had some decent results. Since they defeated Leeds in February, however, they’ve gone seven games without a victory.
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Pearce doesn’t think that he should be in any danger, however. He believes that he should be given lots more time to try and get things firing in the right direction on the pitch.
He told TalkSPORT: “There should be no pressure on him at all. He’s got Forest up for the first time in 23 years and he’s at the point where he deserves a free hit.
“Even if it meant coming down and going again. I don’t think he’s quite as close to the sack as the reports are making out.”
Pearce has delivered verdict on Steve Cooper
Think very carefully Mr Marinakis. The next decision you’re about to make could break your reign as the club’s owner.
The atmosphere on Trentside could be toxic if Cooper gets the boot. That perhaps wouldn’t be fair on the next manager but it’d be understandable.
Cooper hasn’t just got the team playing but he’s got the whole city buzzing! He’s done more for the club than any manager has done since Frank Clark was in charge in the nineties.
After winning promotion last season, Cooper deserves the whole season. He deserves that and if the club are relegated, he deserves the chance to keep building and bring Forest back.
Pearce is spot on as ever and Marinakis must now make his decision very wisely.