Awoniyi, Aina, Dennis to Miss Sacked Steve Cooper at Forest

Femi Solaja

Nigerian internationals at Nottingham Forest like Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina and Emmanuel Dennis will finish 2023 football season under a new manager following the sacking of Steve Cooper yesterday.

Cooper who was largely instrumental to the Nigerian trio transfer to City Ground, was fired  as Nottingham appear lost in forest of uncertainty this season. They have lost five of their past six games at a stretch.

He is the second Premier League manager to be sacked this season, after Sheffield United fired Paul Heckingbottom earlier this month.

Former Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo is already  in talks to replace Cooper at Forest.

The 44-year-old led Forest to promotion to the Premier League in 2022, ending a 23-year absence from the top flight.

“His achievement in guiding Forest back will undoubtedly remain an iconic moment in the club’s history,” said owner Evangelos Marinakis.

“We thank Steve for his dedication and commitment during his time with us, as well as the incredible connection he forged with our supporters and the city of Nottingham.

“Steve will always remain a friend of the club and will forever be welcome at the City Ground. We wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Cooper, who continued to be a popular figure with the club’s fans, was told of the decision to relieve of the job yesterday.

Forest, who are 17th in the Premier League, have won once in their past 13 top-flight games, taking eight points in that period.

They have picked up one point from their past six matches and are five points ahead of third-from-bottom Luton, who have a match in hand.

Cooper’s final game at the helm was a 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham last Friday.

The former England Under-17s boss Cooper was appointed when Forest were bottom of the Championship in September 2021, leading them to promotion in the same season and ensuring top-flight safety with a 16th-place finish.

The Welshman overhauled the squad after promotion with 19 players joining on permanent deals and three arriving on loan, while 17 left the club.