Nuno Espirito Santo is the new head coach of Nottingham Forest and he’s done something very classy. The Reds dismissed Steve Cooper after two-and-a-half-years in charge at the City Ground on Tuesday.
Espirito Santo comes with a wealth of managerial experience. He’s managed Porto, Valencia, Wolves and Tottenham. It’s perhaps his work with Wolves that has earned him the chance at Forest, with the Molineux-based club finishing seventh twice under him.
Espirito Santo does have some sizeable shoes to fill at Forest. Cooper was worshipped at Forest after ending the club’s 23-year wait to play in the Premier League and then keep them there.
The 49-year-old is ready to embrace the challenge, however. He won’t be overawed by managing Forest and he’s done something extremely classy.
Espirito Santo delivers classy comment after taking new job
The Portuguese manager was quickly in place to deliver his first press conference as the new head coach yesterday. Espirito Santo made a gesture towards departed Forest boss Cooper and it speaks volumes of the man.
Instead of the usual media-contrived stuff that becomes symbolic with Premier League managers these days, he chose to pay immediate tribute to the man he’s just replaced.
Espirito Santo told BBC Sport: “What Steve Cooper did at this football club is amazing. Putting Forest back in the Premier League, keeping Forest in the Premier League. That shows how good Forest fans are, the respect they show for Steve. That says a lot about our fans.”
Forest must kick on under new boss
Whether the fans agree with this decision or not the duty now is to support the new head coach. Espirito Santo didn’t have to pay tribute to Cooper but he wanted to and that says a lot.
The man who led Wolves into the Europa League is clearly full of class. It would appear that he’s an exceptional coach too, with Willy Boly this week praising his training methods from his time at Wolves.
Espirito Santo will be under no illusions of the size of the challenge that lies in store for him at Forest. Cooper has struggled to get a tune out of the players this season and there is no guarantee that things will be different for the new head coach.
His experience in this league should put him in good shape, however. He will want to prove a point to Tottenham who sacked him after 17 games. Hopefully, his commitment to the cause can help lift Forest up the table and clear of the relegation zone.
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