Pundits have been queuing up to heap praise on Steve Cooper after the Welshman defied the odds to keep Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal ended the club’s lingering relegation fears as the team, staff and City Ground came together in a show of defiant unity.
While some relegation candidates have been tearing themselves apart, Cooper has somehow managed to engineer a spirit of unity that has made his team so formidable on home soil.
In the aftermath of mission accomplished the 43-year-old thanked Forest fans for staying with him and his team, saying: “I, and my family, will be in debt to these supporters forever. What they have given me this year, in an era of always wanting change and with no patience - not just in football - our supporters have been the complete opposite. They have actually been the best with me in the most difficult times. That takes some doing.”
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READ: How Nottingham Forest beat the odds and defied pundits to secure survival at special City Ground
Reds supporters have been showing their gratitude to a coach who guided them out of the Championship, into the Premier League and overcame enormous personal pressure to keep them there.
Here’s a selection of comments form our Forest Facebook page:
Neil Shepherd: An inspirational coach, and seems like a brilliant human being. Passionate, humble, and gives the credit to others.
David Briggs: Steve Cooper is the best coach in Britain. What a magnificent transformation from where we were before he came.
Garry Archer: In the words of the great man himself "Well done young man" COYR
Debbie McQuire: Loving the journey we are all on long may it last hats of to Steve Cooper had loads to deal with this season but done us all proud
Alice Poxon: Just told you the fans have faith in Steve Cooper with that thank you Evangelos Marinakis for also having faith in Steve Cooper
Margaret Brammer: Thanks a million Steve I’ve always believed that you would do it. My husband would have been so very proud of you
Adrian Nicholas: Should put a statue of Steve Cooper up outside the ground for what he has achieved last couple of seasons.
Dot O'gelsby: Thanks Stevie and the team for taking us where we belong
Melanie Thacker: Awesome manager best we’ve had since Cloughie
David Machin: Cooper has been fantastic. The passion he has for this club shows through and hopefully the revolving door of managers we have had now stops. He has the backing of the fans and has done what others haven't which has meant so much to us. Let's continue to back him and can't wait for next season. Well done to the team last night, the City Ground was electric and noise amazing.
Philip Jarvis: Most passionate manager for years
What is your message for Steve Cooper? Let us know here
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