Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper is reportedly "on the brink of losing his job" following the Reds' 4-0 defeat in their East Midlands derby against Leicester City on Monday night, with Rafa Benítez named as a 'contender to replace him'.
A fifth straight league defeat sees Forest sink to the bottom of the Premier League table eight matches into their first top-flight campaign for 23 years after conceding 16 goals in just their last four matches, with Cooper said to be under intense pressure, per the Telegraph. Benitez, who had been linked with becoming Leicester manager during the international break, is apparently 'already emerging as a potential replacement' with the link being made between the former Everton and Newcastle United boss and Forest advisor and ex-Magpies CEO Lee Charnley.
The Telegraph report that the Spaniard is 'in the frame' to take the Reds job should Cooper be dispensed with. "I completely understand the situation and the question and respect it 100 per cent," Cooper said when asked about his future after the Leicester game.
