Nottingham Forest hand Cooper new contract despite losing streak

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has signed a new contract until 2025, despite being on a five-game losing streak in the Premier League.

The 42-year-old took charge of the club in September 2021 and led the charge to promotion to the Premier League, finishing fourth in the Championship before beating Huddersfield Town in the play-off final.

Forest bolstered their squad for a return to the top-flight, signing 23 players in total, but have been unable to find form, sitting rock-bottom of the standings with just four points from the opening eight matches.

A 4-0 defeat at Leicester City on Monday extended Forest’s losing streak to five games, raising speculation that Cooper’s position is under threat – but the club have made it clear he retains the faith of the hierarchy.

A statement from the club announcing Cooper’s new deal on Friday read: “It is now important that our focus is solely on football.

“As a group we are all concentrated and will do everything we can to help the team move up the league table and once again demonstrate our qualities that led us to the Premier League.”

Forest welcome Aston Villa to the City Ground on Monday, with six further fixtures in the Premier League beyond that before the season pauses for the World Cup in Qatar.

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— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) October 7, 2022