Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has again stressed his contract situation is not at the forefront of his mind.
The Welshman recently marked a year in charge at the City Ground, leaving just 12 months remaining on the deal he signed last September. It has led to some anxiety among fans, with many keen for Cooper’s long-term future to be set out.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis stated his desire to tie his head coach to fresh terms, on the back of the Reds’ promotion in May. Following that, the framework of a new contract is understood to have been broadly agreed during talks in Greece in the summer.
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But while he is yet to put pen to paper, Cooper has underlined his commitment to Forest. And he has reiterated his full focus is on what happens on the pitch, as he aims to stop a four-match losing run when his team travel to Leicester City on Monday.
"I don’t want to sit on fences or swerve it, t’s just not something that’s on my mind,” said the Reds manager. "What should be on all of our minds is just how we win on Monday and whatever it takes to get those next points - hopefully three points - on the board.
"If there is anything keeping me up at night, it’s the planning, the preparation, the work, the team selection – the normal process of getting ready for a game. I’m actually sleeping fine because I’m really happy with how the group are engaged and the work they’re doing.
“But that’s the only thing on my mind. The greater good of the club will always be more important than any individual, and that’s where we’re at.”
Asked if he had a message for supporters anxious about his future, Cooper said: "It’s not that delicate. Honestly, it’s not something I think about. Regardless of the length of contract, it really doesn’t change anything.
"As soon as I drive into the training ground, I’m not thinking for one minute about personal situations or circumstances, apart from how can I be at my best today and how can I make sure I do the job to the best of my ability. That starts with work ethic, always, and hopefully then some decent work.
"It (the contract) is not on my mind. If it’s on other peoples’, then all I can say is, I’ve never worked harder in my life than what I am now.
"And I don't think I’ve ever lacked work ethic, because I’ve had to fight to do alright in work, as I’ve done so far at times. No time to stop now; it’s time to work even harder.
"I don’t mind saying this, this job has meant so much and means so much to me. It’s never meant so much to me as what it does at this moment in time.
"When you go through a bit of a rocky patch, when you care about something, it’s when you want to put it right. That’s exactly where my feeling is at the moment.”
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