Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan offered a heartfelt tribute to departing manager Steve Cooper in a recent appearance on the BBC podcast “Shut Up and Show More Football.“
Acknowledging the inevitability of managerial change, McGugan stated:
- “In management, and Steve Cooper will know this, sadly at some point it will always come to an end.”
He then emphasized Cooper’s positive impact on the club:
- “All you hope when you go into a football club as a manager is that you leave it in a better state than you found it – and he has 100% done that.”
- “He will leave on the best terms possible and if you look at the fans’ reactions, it goes without saying.”
McGugan highlighted Cooper’s crucial role in Forest’s Premier League return:
- “If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be in this situation, back in the Premier League, that’s for sure.”
This statement captures the sentiment of many Forest fans who credit Cooper for orchestrating the club’s remarkable rise from Championship strugglers to top-flight participants.
While news of Cooper’s departure may sting, McGugan’s sentiments remind everyone of the manager’s lasting contribution to Nottingham Forest. Cooper leaves behind a legacy of success and a foundation for future achievements, earning him a place in the club’s esteemed history.
