Awoniyi and Dennis will not get new manager for now as Forest owner sticks by Cooper for the time being

SUPER Eagles striking duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis will not be getting a change of manager at their club Nottingham Forest just yet after the owner opted to back manager Steve Cooper for the time being.

Nottingham Forest are sitting in 17th place in the 20-team table, only out of the bottom three relegation sports on goal difference. On Monday, Forest went down 1-2 away to a resurgent Leeds United in what it now on an eight-match losing streak, prompting suggestions that manager Cooper would get the sack this week.

Rumours surfaced after the 2-1 away loss to Leeds that the Welshman Cooper had already been shown the door. However, Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, has broken his silence on the matter, saying he has chosen to stand with Mr Cooper, who guided the team to promotion last season, although he has also made it clear that performances have to improve immediately.

Mr Marinakis said: “No one denies that our club is in a difficult position in the Premier League but we wish to end the speculation and the false and disruptive reporting in the media to confirm that Steve Cooper remains our manager at Nottingham Forest. We have all been disappointed with recent performances and it is very clear that a lot of hard work needs to be done to address this urgently.

"Results and performances must improve immediately. Now is the time for everyone connected with our club, from us as owners, to the board, our supporters, backroom staff, coaches and players, to come together and fight to secure our status in the Premier League.

“There can be no time for distractions, rumours and speculation. There is only time for hard work, determination, a commitment from Steve and the players to getting the results we need and, of course, the continued magnificent support of the fans of Nottingham Forest.”

Mr Cooper is expected to remain and will preside over this weekend’s match at Villa Park against Aston Villa. Mr Cooper took over at the City Ground in September 2021 with the team bottom of the Championship and he was quick to put his imprint on the squad and their surge up the table ended in promotion to the Premier League last May via the play-offs.

He was backed with heavy spending in the summer and a new contract earlier this season. Forest have key fixtures against relegation rivals Southampton and Crystal Palace, which could go a long way to deciding their fate.