Former Nottingham Forest striker Glenn Murray has voiced doubt about the timing of Steve Cooper’s sacking, suggesting it “almost feels like they couldn’t wait to get rid of him.”
Cooper was dismissed on Tuesday following a string of poor results, but Murray, who played for Forest in the 2021-22 season, believes the club were too hasty in their decision.
“I feel he was going to keep Nottingham Forest safe for another year,” Murray stated on BBC Radio 5 Live. “It almost feels like they could not wait to get rid of him in some way and bring someone else in.”
Murray highlighted Cooper’s success in leading Forest back to the Premier League after a 23-year absence, emphasizing the challenge of integrating a large number of new players in the top flight.
“He has had a dressing room full of players in his first year in the Premier League,” Murray said. “He has done extraordinarily well to gel them together, to get them playing together, and to keep them in the Premier League.”
While acknowledging Forest’s recent struggles, Murray questioned the necessity of a managerial change at this stage.
“They won one in 13, but at the end of the day, they were five points clear of relegation,” he pointed out. “I do think Steve deserved more time.”
Murray’s comments echo the mixed reactions from some sections of the Forest fanbase, who remain grateful for Cooper’s achievements while also acknowledging the need for a potential turnaround in results.
The club’s decision to part ways with Cooper has certainly sparked debate, with Murray’s perspective reflecting the complexities surrounding managerial changes in the pressure-cooker environment of professional football.
