Steve Cooper is under pressure after Nottingham Forest lost badly against Fulham 5-0. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis left Craven Cottage 20 minutes before the game due to rumors that Cooper would be fired. Cooper said, “I have to accept it.” I’m to blame. I accept accountability for it.
Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Forest, left Craven Cottage 20 minutes before full time, causing Cooper’s team to lose for the fourth straight time.
Since then, rumors have surfaced suggesting that Marinakis intends to fire Cooper, with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui purportedly in line to take over.
Cooper said, “Yes, of course I do,” in response to the question of whether he was still the best person to turn things around.
“I’ve just been asked similar questions about whether I fear for my job and all that kind of thing, and those are good questions to ask given the current run we’re on, but to be honest, I don’t really think about that too much.
“What’s best for the football team and our current run comes into my mind. I’m so devoted to the football club that I don’t worry about my reputation or what it might imply for me; I believe that when you’re in charge of the football department of a club, especially this one, you should feel the same way. Instead, I constantly consider what it means for the football team.
“I’m not thinking about losing my job, even though you posed the proper questions, and that will be discussed in writing. However, I believe that whatever is best for the football team is also best for me.
With this crushing defeat, Forest has only triumphed once in their previous 11 games and is currently six points clear of the relegation zone.
Goals from Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez put Forest down 2-0 at the interval. After the interval, the Fulham pair each added a goal, and Tom Cairney easily added a fifth. Obviously, it was a horrible night. A result that we must acknowledge and feel worthy of,” Cooper continued. “We entirely abandoned the necessary technical and tactical standards to be competitive in this league after giving up two goals in the first half.
“And after that, lacked the motivation and resolve to make up for it. You can have a night like this one if you pull out of tackles, lose races, and wind yourself on the ground in a 50/50 battle situation.
“The unwillingness to stop any kind of penetration, including balls in behind, combinations, and other offensively possible outcomes – a lack of desire and willingness to protect that, you run the risk of experiencing what we did tonight, which was really painful. I accept responsibility for that; there is no question about it, and we must take responsibility for it.
Cooper approached the Forest supporters after the game and held up two hands in apology for the outcome.
The Forest manager emphasized that the decline in form is entirely his fault and not that of his players.
I welcome and will accept whatever reasonable criticism directed at me tonight,” he stated. “I would definitely deal with it, but I wouldn’t say I embrace it because nobody wants it. Being a leader, manager, or head coach of a football team requires you to be willing to put your beliefs and ideals first in trying circumstances, and that is what I try to do.
“I am aware of the awful string of outcomes. I think that this evening is distinct from the other ones. This setback is undoubtedly different from the ones that came before it, and I sincerely hope that it is an anomaly tonight. I’m aware that a ton of topics will be covered, but really, what’s
“I deserve to be the target of all the criticism and blame. I’m to blame. When we review and address the players, I want to hear about it before anybody else does. After that, I’ll determine what to do with the feedback. We can’t run away from what happened tonight; it’s not confusing at all.”
The Nottingham Forest manager found it odd, but he enjoyed it when the visiting fans opted to sing Cooper’s name as the goals against Fulham flew in.
It’s awkward. It’s not something I deserve. Regarding such response, he stated, “I’m thankful—they know that—and utterly unique, but I just wish it wasn’t the case because what they showed on the outside, they’d be feeling the opposite, inwardly, and rightfully so.”
“I must acknowledge that. I’m to blame. I own up to it. Kindly refrain from writing about anything else than me.
I just wanted to make sure that we had a different reception than what we did. We stayed right there, in front of the supporters, to accept whatever came our way and put me first. I went to the front for that reason. It must fall on me.”
