Nottingham Forest fans will always hold Steve Cooper in high regard for guiding the club back to the Premier League after years of absence.
His impact at the City Ground is undeniable, and many supporters remain thankful for his contributions.
However, as news of his sacking at Leicester City broke, fans couldn’t help but notice striking similarities between his departure from the Foxes and his challenging final days at Forest.
Cooper’s tenure at Leicester came to an abrupt end after just 12 Premier League matches.
The Foxes, who had hoped Cooper’s tactical acumen would stabilise their return to the top flight, instead endured a rocky start, conceding 23 goals in those games.
Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea marked the final chapter of Cooper’s short stint. While many sympathised with the Welshman, reports emerging since his departure have painted a more complex picture.
The reason Steve Cooper was sacked by Leicester
According to The Telegraph, Cooper reportedly banished Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard from a training session last week.
The Danish international was subsequently left out of the matchday squad against Chelsea.
The decision echoes a similar incident during Cooper’s final months at Nottingham Forest, where he had a high-profile falling out with then-captain Joe Worrall.
Worrall’s clash with Cooper reportedly occurred after the defender expressed frustration at being benched for a key match against Aston Villa.
The disagreement saw Worrall excluded from the squad entirely, a move that raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. He did not feature again until Cooper’s successor, Nuno Espírito Santo, reinstated him.
The Challenges Ahead for Cooper
Cooper’s abrupt exit from Leicester raises questions about his managerial style. While his EFL record is exceptional—proving himself as a promotion specialist—his Premier League tenures have been less convincing.
Some might argue 12 matches weren’t enough for him to implement his philosophy at Leicester, but his reputation may take a hit with reports of dressing room discontent.
There’s no doubt Cooper’s skills will appeal to ambitious Championship clubs seeking a manager capable of delivering promotion.
But his apparent handling of key players, such as Worrall and now Vestergaard, suggests he may need to refine his approach to dealing with dressing room tensions.
At Nottingham Forest, Cooper will always be remembered as the manager who reignited the club’s Premier League dream.
However, his stubborn stance during disputes—whether justified or not—appears to be a recurring theme that has now followed him to Leicester.
Reflecting on Worrall’s situation at Forest, it’s worth noting that while the defender’s form may have warranted a spell on the bench, his role as club captain added a layer of complexity to the dispute.
Similarly, Vestergaard’s exclusion at Leicester has sparked questions about Cooper’s ability to manage personalities at the highest level.
As Cooper looks to rebuild his career, perhaps in the Championship, these episodes serve as a reminder that even the most promising managers need to balance tactical brilliance with effective player management.
For now, his focus will likely shift to finding a project where he can once again demonstrate his knack for turning struggling clubs into contenders.
