Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has been shortlisted as one of the probable candidates to take over the reins at fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace, if reports are to be believed. The Tricky Trees boss has emerged as the current favourite to replace stalwart manager Roy Hodgson, who has returned to the Eagles for the rest of the season following the sacking of legendary former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira.
The club dubbed their situation in the Premier League a ‘precarious’ one, and said that they made the decision to relieve Vieira of his duties with ‘utmost regret’. The 75-year-old Hodgson, who has taken over for the rest of the season, is tasked with keeping the side in the Premier League, at which point a decision will be made in regard to his future. The veteran is not expected to continue beyond this season, but the ball will likely remain firmly in Hodgson’s court, should he retain Premier League status for the Eagles.
If Hodgson decides not to carry on following the season, the Crystal Palace board are reported to be considering approaching Cooper, whose work with Forest has been commended by many. Cooper led a struggling Forest, who were languishing at the bottom of the Championship table, to a turnaround for the ages, securing promotion to the Premier League that very season via the playoffs.
Forest have done reasonably well for a promoted side but are still locked in the relegation battle, barely two points above the drop zone with 26 points. It has been a brutally competitive season in the English top flight, with 11 teams still in reasonable contention for the top six places while nine teams remain locked in a battle to avoid relegation.
Cooper made numerous signings over the summer window and even signed a contract extension till 2025 back in October. After building a squad suiting his coaching philosophy, it is not likely that Cooper would leave Forest, even if Palace come calling. Someone who has reiterated his unflinching commitment for his club, Cooper is not likely to join Crystal Palace, even more so if Forest escape relegation, for which the next three games in the League will be vital.
