Head coach Steve Cooper says he is grateful for the backing he has received from Nottingham Forest fans amid recent speculation about his future.
The Reds’ eight-match winless run saw the Welshman come under pressure, until owner Evangelos Marinakis released a statement on Wednesday morning throwing his weight behind his manager. It did, however, come with a warning that results need to improve quickly as the club battle to avoid relegation.
Forest fans had already made their feelings on the situation clear. Responding to suggestions Cooper’s job was in jeopardy, there was a big show of support at the City Ground last Saturday and social media was awash with #CooperIn in the aftermath of Tuesday night’s defeat at Leeds United.
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“I’m humbled and grateful for that,” Cooper said, ahead of this weekend’s trip to Aston Villa. “There will be a better time to talk about what it really means to me, because I don’t like talking about myself too much - although there has been a lot of that lately, which I accept.
“The overriding feeling I get is about working harder, being more motivated and doing whatever it takes to try to achieve and not let these people down. That’s how I feel.
“I’m so proud to work for this club, and that increases every single day. I feel honoured and privileged to manage the club here at the City Ground and try to represent it well when we’re on our travels - not just on game days - but also to stand up for the values and principles that have been held here for a long while now.
“I feel a big sense of responsibility to the supporters in not letting them down and making them feel good about their football club. All of that means everything to me.
“But I go back to, I’ve got to get straight back to work, because that’s the most important thing. We have to play better than the other night and win more games than we have done in the recent period. That is the be all and end all, because all of the good feelings come from doing those things better.”
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