Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has been the "magician" in the Reds' incredible rise up the Championship and into the play-off final, according to former striker David Johnson.
The Reds endured an awful start to the season, their worst in more than 100 years, but have enjoyed a miraculous turnaround under Steve Cooper to go from bottom of the Championship to being 90 minutes away from the Premier League when they take on Huddersfield Town at Wembley on Sunday (May 29).
Since Cooper arrived at the City Ground in September 2021, the Reds have flown up the league standings and are now the closest they have ever been to ending their 23-year exile from England's top-flight.
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In an interview with Sky Bet ahead of the play-off final at the national stadium, Johnson - father to current Forest star Brennan - said Cooper has been the "magician" casting all the right spells at the City Ground.
Asked how much of an impact the Forest boss has had, Johnson said: "It's been huge. Apart from Frank Clark, he is up there as one of the best. He has brought so much pride back to the city and the football club. We are sold out every week and he has brought an identity back to Nottingham Forest.
"He has got a mix of young and experienced players, everyone playing with a smile on their face. Win or lose, the fans know they are being positive and trying to play on the front foot. He has been the magician in all of this."
Clark, 78, knows Nottingham Forest better than the back of his hand having been involved with the Reds across all levels. The former full-back made more than 100 appearances in the Garibaldi as a player and later managed the club between 1993 and 1996, restoring their Premier League status after relegation under Brian Clough as well as finishing third in the top-flight and making the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
He was also chairman between 2011 and 2012 before Fawaz Al-Hasawi bought the club.
