Nottingham Forest had Julen Lopetegui on their radar but talks with the 57-year-old didn’t progress. The Reds are set to sack Steve Cooper following just over two years in charge at the City Ground.
It seems as though the man to take over will be another manager who has worked for Wolves. Nuno Espirito Santo is now the man that reports claim Forest want to appoint.
Lopetegui does feel like a better fit for Forest. He is a manager who favours an attacking approach, whilst Espirito Santo feels like a sideways step from Cooper.
Forest had Lopetegui on their radar
The Reds did hold talks with the man who managed Real Madrid and Sevilla, according to The Guardian. However, they claim that the talks never progressed.
Lopetegui has come out in the media to speak about his future. He’s claimed that he’s turned down two offers already and that’s biding his time waiting for his new role.
It would seem as though he held reservations about taking over at the City Ground. As a result, Forest have moved quickly to look elsewhere following their Lopetegui setback and Espirito Santo now looks like the man to get the nod.
Lopetegui would have lifted Reds fan base
When the inevitable time comes for Cooper to depart, it’s going to prove a tough pill to swallow. Lots of players have let the head coach down, although he’s not without fault either.
Espirito Santo has typically adopted a pretty defensive style of play throughout his career. Furthermore, he’s also had largely brilliant squads wherever he has been.
The Forest fan base will give him time but it’s fair to say that as supporters we’d have preferred Lopetegui. He’s a born-winner and helped Sevilla lift the Europa League title previously.
Forest might live to rue not trying harder to get Lopetegui to the City Ground. Now, it’s an anxious wait to see what happens with the head coach situation on Trentside.
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