Spanish manager Marcelino Garcia Toral has ‘turned down’ an offer to take immediate charge of Nottingham Forest, according to reports in Spain.
The Reds currently sit in 16th place in the Premier League table, two points above the relegation zone. Head coach Steve Cooper is tasked with keeping the side in the league this season after leading them there via the play-offs one year ago.
The Welshmen has found himself under pressure at times this season, but the club stuck by him. The manager signed a new contract at the City Ground back in October, despite there being speculation over if he would remain at the club following a 4-0 away defeat to Leicester City.
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That result left Forest bottom of the table, but an upturn saw them climb out of the relegation zone. They are now in a nine-way fight to stay in the league and are winless in their last six games.
If reports in Spain are to be believed, then the club have been assessing their options. According to El Partidazo de COPE , Forest have seen an offer to immediately take over as manager ‘rejected’ by former Athletic Bilbao coach Marcelino.
The report adds that the 57-year-old turned down the offer due to him preferring to start a new role in the new season, due to him wanting to work on a project ‘from the beginning’. It is said that he has also had contact from Crystal Palace, Wolves and Everton this season.
Marcelino has been out of work since leaving Athletic in the summer. He has previously managed Sevilla, Villarreal and Valencia, winning the Spanish Cup in 2019 with the latter.
The manager was earmarked as the potential new manager of the Spanish team before the World Cup, but Luis La Fuente was promoted to the role from the U21 side back in December following the exit of Luis Enrique. It leaves Marcelino without a role, although it seems that may change in the summer.
There is no evidence to suggest that the offer to Marcelino is true, with the report possibly coming from agents. There is also no suggestion that Forest are on the lookout for a replacement for Cooper anytime soon.
The manager has over two years to run on his deal at the City Ground, and has reaffirmed his commitment to the club amid speculation over other Premier League clubs showing an interest in him this season.
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