Steve Cooper insists he doesn't 'need any reassurances' over his future despite scrutiny over the Nottingham Forest manager's position... with owner Evangelos Marinakis an admirer of ex-Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui

Steve Cooper came out fighting ahead of Nottingham Forest’s clash with Tottenham on Friday by insisting his side will leap forward this season despite a poor recent run.

The Forest boss remains under scrutiny after the 5-0 thrashing at Fulham on December 6, and even though they performed much better in the 1-1 draw at Wolves three days later, they have won just one of their last 12 games.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been weighing up Cooper’s future and admires Julen Lopetegui – the former Spain and Real Madrid boss who was in charge of Wolves last season – and Oliver Glasner, who is out of work despite winning the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022.

‘I don’t need any reassurances about my future,’ said Cooper. ‘It’s about staying true to yourself and focusing on my job. I know how together we are and it’s not about any individual.

‘I am trying to do my very best for the club I love being at, and the club I will give everything for. When you’ve had a couple of years like we’ve had you don’t give it up lightly and you stand up for it in every moment.

‘That’s how I feel. I get prouder with every day that passes and feel more privileged. When there are periods of poor results and performances that’s when you really want to be here.

‘It’s easy when it’s going well. You really see who people are as managers in the difficult moments and I believe we will have another season of progress. It won’t be easy and there will be ups and downs but that’s how it is.’

Miltiadis Marinakis, the son of Evangelos, is an increasingly influential figure at the club’s training ground and last week addressed the squad, alongside chief football office Ross Wilson. 

On that occasion the tone was broadly supportive towards Cooper but this remains a volatile situation that can change from game to game.

Crystal Palace are watching the situation closely. They admire Cooper but the 43-year-old under contract, they would have to pay a seven-figure compensation sum to hire him – as opposed to nothing if Cooper were sacked and they approached him afterwards. 

Similarly, Cooper’s salary is thought to be around the £2million mark and he would be due compensation from Forest were he sacked before his contract expires in 2025.