Head coach Steve Cooper says he is even more determined to succeed at Nottingham Forest after putting pen to paper on a new contract.
The Welshman has agreed terms until 2025, ending uncertainty over his future. And he wants to use the stability that brings to spark a turnaround in the Reds’ fortunes.
On the back of last season’s promotion success, owner Evangelos Marinakis had pledged to tie the manager to a new deal. Talks had taken place during the summer, with the framework of a new contract understood to have been broadly put in place.
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Murphy decision
Chief executive Dane Murphy is set to stay at Nottingham Forest, having been believed to be heading towards the exit door earlier this week.
Amid a miserable run of form for the Reds, owner Evangelos Marinakis was understood to be considering making sweeping changes at the City Ground. Murphy, head of data and analytic recruitment George Syrianos and head of scouting Andy Scott were all at risk of losing their jobs.
However, the Telegraph report Murphy is to remain in post as CEO, following talks. It comes as boss Steve Cooper has put pen to paper on a new deal and Filippo Giraldi was brought in as sporting director earlier this week.
The latter, who spent nine years with Watford, is understood to have a remit to audit the sporting side of the business and evaluate the infrastructures that exist at the City Ground. It will be in a non-invasive role.
Transfer talk
Midfielder Houssem Aouar has reflected on a “stressful transfer window” amid a failed move to Nottingham Forest.
The Reds were said to have agreed terms with the Frenchman during the summer. But an agreement could not be reached with Lyon and he ended up staying put, despite also receiving interest from elsewhere.
With a year left on his contract, Aouar’s future is uncertain. He has made clear that if it was up to him, he would have left the French club, saying he was happy with most of the offers which came his way during the window.
“It was a stressful transfer window for me,” he told L’Equipe, via Get French Football News. “But I agreed with most of the clubs that came forward.”
Chairman's thoughts
Nottingham Forest chairman Nicholas Randall has spoken of his delight at manager Steve Cooper extending his stay with the club.
It was announced on Friday that the manager had signed a new contract at the City Ground with the new deal running until 2025. It comes after reports that the club were considering the manager’s future, with possible replacements also mentioned.
Reports emerged not long after Monday night’s 4-0 loss against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. It was the Reds’ fifth straight loss in the Premier League and left the team at the bottom of the table.
Cooper arrived at the club just over a year ago and turned around the season in the Championship, leading Forest to promotion to the top division for the first time in 23 years. He has now been backed to turn the current season around.
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