Steve Cooper’s job as Nottingham Forest manager is in jeopardy

Steve Cooper is under mounting pressure as Nottingham Forest boss with upcoming games against Wolves and Leeds potentially crucial to his future.

The Forest hierarchy has been growing concerned over recent results and performances after the club slipped within two points of the relegation zone and a fearsome string of games followed the next two games.

Forest have spent around £160million on 30 players over the last two transfer windows and expected the spending would secure at least one more season in the top flight after last May’s promotion.

Cooper was under a lot of pressure after a 4-0 defeat at Leicester last October but owner Evangelos Marinakis stuck by the Welshman at the time and signed him to a new three-year contract.

This decision seemed justified as Forest recorded improved results on both sides of the World Cup break. But Newcastle ended a nine-game home run on March 17, while Forest have picked up just six points in their travels all season.

Steve Cooper’s job as Nottingham Forest manager is in jeopardy after a string of poor results

Owner Evangelos Marinakis held on to Cooper in October when it looked like the Welshman was heading for the door – and now Forest chiefs are once again weighing his future

Cooper remains very popular with Forest supporters. Their support for him was thought to have been a factor when he was signed last autumn and a similar reception against Wolves – combined with a positive result – could have a similar effect.

Aside from goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Forest’s January signings have struggled.

Chris Wood is out for the season with a hamstring injury while Jonjo Shelvey is struggling to find his peak form and Cooper also said Thursday Andre Ayew would miss Wolves’ game through injury.

Cooper’s reputation remains high and he will likely be targeted at the end of the season regardless of what happens in Forest.