Nottingham Forest promotion hero Steve Cooper backed to make controversial switch as statement made
Former Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper has been included in the bookies’ list of favourites to take charge of Derby County.
The Reds’ bitter rivals are on the lookout for a new manager after a dreadful run of form. A run of seven straight Championship defeats saw Paul Warne relieved of his duties earlier today (Friday).
The Rams are 22nd in the table, two points adrift of safety. And according to the bookmakers, Cooper could be in the running to take over at Pride Park.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest deadline day transfer 'collapse' revealed
READ MORE: Exeter City boss speaks out on 'less positive' FA Cup rule ahead of Nottingham Forest tie
The Welshman has been out of work since being dismissed by Leicester City last November. Gambling.com (via our sister title DerbyshireLive) have him at 5/2 to take up the post at Derby.
Ex-Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is 11/8 to take charge and former Southampton chief Russell Martin is given odds of 2/1. Wayne Rooney is 5/1 for a return to his former stomping ground.
Cooper was axed as Forest head coach in December 2023 after two years in charge. He had ended the club’s long absence from the top flight by steering the Reds to promotion in 2022 and then ensured they retained their Premier League status the following season.
He was replaced at the helm by Nuno Espirito Santo, who currently has Forest sitting third in the table with 14 games to go. Cooper went on to pick up the reins at the King Power Stadium in June 2024 but was axed after just 12 league games.
Announcing Warne’s departure, Derby owner David Clowes told the club’s website: “Paul is a man of great integrity and embodies the values we hold important at Derby County. No fan should ever forget his contribution in securing promotion to the Championship. I certainly won’t. However, results in football dictate decisions and we felt that to give us the best chance of retaining our Championship status, the time was right to make a change.”
