Steve Cooper is reported to be fighting to save his job at Nottingham Forest, with Saturday's relegation clash with Wolves at the City Ground said to be key to his future.
The Reds boss first came under pressure just a few weeks into the season as the Premier League newcomers struggled to establish themselves before surprisingly signing a new contract.
But after pulling away from the drop zone in mid-season, Forest are now winless in their last six matches and just two points above the bottom three again, heaping pressure back on the man who transformed their fortunes last term from relegation candidates to play-off winners.
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A 2-1 loss to Newcastle United in their last game before the international break ended a Forest unbeaten home run stretching back to mid-September and featuring victory over Liverpool and draws with Manchester City and Chelsea.
And The Telegraph now claim failure to beat Wolves in Saturday's 3pm kick-off could put Cooper in real trouble of losing his job.
An "exclusive" Matt Law report claims: "A failure to beat Wolves could put Cooper in real trouble, with Forest winless since February 5 and having lost four of their last six Premier League games ahead of the international break.
"Cooper has seen his future as manager placed in doubt on a number of occasions this season only for the Forest board to give him more time.
"Forest’s fans have demonstrated their support of Cooper, who achieved promotion from the Championship with the club and his removal before the end of the season might not be received well.
"The 43-year-old even signed a new contract in October last year following rumours he was going to be sacked, but Cooper’s job is not rated as being safe heading into the Premier League run-in."
The Midlands rivals are separated by just a point in the Premier League table, meaning the Reds can leapfrog the visitors if they claim all three points. Wolves are in a similar poor run of form having won just one of their previous five matches.
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