Nuno lined up to replace axed Cooper as Forest manager

Cooper, a fan favourite, departs after a dismal run of form for Forest with one win in their last 13 matches

Nottingham Forest have sacked head coach Steve Cooper with Nuno Espirito Santo lined up to replace him, Telegraph Sport understands.
Forest have won only one game in their last 13 and produced arguably their worst performances under Cooper in the recent defeats by Everton and Fulham, and owner Evangelos Marinakis has taken drastic action.
Marinakis watched Forest’s home defeat by Tottenham from his base in Athens and dismissed Cooper in a meeting with the board on Tuesday afternoon.
Former Wolves and Tottenham manager Nuno is set to replace Cooper as he makes a return to English football after a spell at Saudi club Al-Ittihad, having emerged as the leading candidate to take the job. The Portuguese coach is understood to be flying in to the UK for talks.
The decision is likely to polarise opinion among Forest supporters, with many of those fans backing Cooper after he ended the club’s 23-year exile from the top division.
Yet a number of fans have also criticised Cooper this season and Marinakis has been growing increasingly frustrated after spending another £100 million on transfers over the summer.
Cooper was close to being dismissed in October last year, after a 4-0 defeat at Leicester City, but following talks it was decided to give him a new contract.
After being appointed in September 2021, Cooper inherited a team bottom of the Championship and then led them to promotion via the play-off final.
He then led them to safety last season, earning widespread praise for building a team culture after so many new signings.
Yet results this season have been disappointing and, after their latest defeat they are now only five points above Luton, who occupy 18th in the relegation zone.
Despite his dismissal, Cooper is likely to be coveted by a number of clubs including Crystal Palace if they decide to part company with Roy Hodgson.
Palace are admirers of Cooper, who turned 44 last Sunday, and could now make a move as he will be available without compensation after being sacked by Forest.
Forest return to Premier League action next Saturday with a home match against Bournemouth.