Leeds United had a serious look into appointing Steve Cooper as their new manager over the summer before landing Daniel Farke.
Leeds United had to make a big appointment over the summer.
There is a certain irony in Leeds’ managerial situation becoming increasingly chaotic after sacking ‘El Loco’ Marcelo Bielsa.
Jesse Marsch didn’t live up to expectations, Javi Gracia came and went and Sam Allardyce couldn’t keep Leeds up.
A proven Championship manager was needed and Leeds seemingly had a very ambitious approach in mind…
Leeds United wanted Steve Cooper before Daniel Farke deal
Leeds ended up going for Daniel Farke, who won two promotions from the Championship with Norwich City.
The German has Leeds in contention for promotion this season, currently sitting third in the Championship table.
The Whites did look elsewhere though and The Athletic claim that they seriously considered trying to poach Steve Cooper from Nottingham Forest.
Cooper was heavily linked away from Forest throughout last season and had to fight for his job on a number of occasions.
The Welshman managed to keep his job and keep Forest in the top flight but his position at City Ground hasn’t seemed secure for a while.
Cooper finally met his end at Forest on Tuesday following a run of just one win in the last 13 Premier League games.
It’s now stated that Leeds wanting to land Cooper was an ‘open secret’ and, even in the Championship, the Whites thought that Cooper could be lured to Elland Road.
Farke ended up being the man for Leeds but Cooper may wonder what could have been had he joined Leeds rather than go through another tumultuous Forest campaign.
We can’t imagine that Cooper will be out of management for too long, with his work at Forest earning admirers over the last two years.
Hailed as ‘brilliant’ by Mikel Arteta, Cooper is on the radar of other Premier League clubs such as West Ham United.
Leeds will be very happy with Farke, but maybe they will keep tabs on Cooper and his situation for potential future interest.
