Steve Cooper will always be the MAN!

[Alf-engelos Mindminackers]

I understand it's a business and he has made investments. I recognised that in the post you quoted. And I'm grateful for it.

But I'm talking as someone who loves the club and have been supporting them before he made a penny and will continue to do so after he has headed on to play with a new toy.

And with the greatest of respect, I have to disagree with the idea that people who make millions upon millions can't be an idiot. Plenty of idiots have made lots and lots of money.

Yup, this lass is a self-made millionaire largely off the back off his track...

Can't see her cutting it as a rocket scientist.

 

[steppan]

As many on here have already stated in ways much more clearly than I probably could, Cooper wasn’t just the manager of my club. Cooper was the guy who brought back the pride of supporting this club. The way he spoke about the club and the fans was inspirational, the way he taught me to never get too up and never get too down, he brought a feeling of stability during arguably one of the most turbulent times the club has seen.
Cooper wasn’t without flaws, he had a lot to learn but he showed us that he would learn from his mistakes.
I’m not going to lie, I’m getting extremely frustrated with modern football, modern players and modern managers. It’s all about statistics, tactics, emotionless positional football, and despite this I still felt passionate for my club and players and the way we played, most of our success usually came from players playing with emotion and passion. I am afraid that the last thread of my love for this sport could dissipate if we go back to what we’ve known for the last 20 years.
Thank you Cooper, I hope to see you in the home dugout at the city ground again sometime in the future

 

[terrier57]

Lot of emotional posts and rightly so as many on here have never known top flight football as a Forest fan. I go back to 1966 for my first game so I have seen the very best manager and some,ahem, average ones. Steve Cooper changed the landscape at the CC but even the best manager's often end up getting sacked. The owner cannot just sit back and watch his team decline. He's made a big call today, his money and reputation follow it.
Cooper enjoyed some great moments at Forest and some fortuitous ones but to quote Napoleon 'I'd rather have lucky generals than good ones'.
All the best for the future Steve but let's get right behind the new manager.

 

[congo_red_49]

I go back to 1966 for my first game so I have seen the very best manager and some,ahem, average ones. Steve Cooper changed the landscape at the CC but even the best manager's often end up getting sacked.

You’ve been around long enough to know that sacking managers doesn’t always change things…in fact in my lifetime, three managers have reinstated Forest’s top-flight status.
Frank Clark got us promoted, we sacked him and went down.
Dave Bassett got us promoted, we sacked him and went down.
Which brings us to Steve Cooper. Good luck Nuno, you need to break a trend here.

 

[Collymore!]

...but I can't really get behind this guy even if he takes us to Europe. My enthusiasm has completely waned, just in time for my first home game in over 2 years on Saturday. I reckon it's going to be like a funeral at the WFCG, and frankly, I'm one of the mourners.

I feel the same, and although I genuinely admire the fans will cheer the NFFC manager no matter what, that's not, particularly what I take from football (although it goes without saying I want to win against Bournemouth).

Yes, I support NFFC and have done so for decades, but I also care as much personally about what I perceive it means to be involved with NFFC and doing things the right way. Cooper was more than just another NFFC manager to me, which shows patently in his commitment to the City/schools/clubs/initiatives/community and the way he resonated with the fans. These things may be trivial for some, but he was the first manager to encapsulate some of my core beliefs and desires into that role since Clough.

I have no issues preparing for Nuno's failure because ultimately it doesn't matter to me whether it's the Premier League or the Championship, I'd rather see success/failure in what I perceive the "right" way. If we lose games and that highlights the mistakes made by the club then so be it. It's not because I want that, but because I didn't want Steve to be treated like this.

I'm not eloquent enough to properly sum this up, I'm just completely devastated tonight and feel that the one positive constant at the club has gone and see a slippery slope back to years like Fawaz' or the few seasons before our promotion, which were exhausting. On the flip side even if we finish 7th this season I won't get any great pride from that.

Right or wrong, that's how I believe I support the club above all else because I think doing things a certain way will deliver us the best long-term outcome.

 

[DizzyBala]

I think we're going to need to add, don't fall in love with a manager to the rules along with do not fall in love with a loan player after this.

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

I'm not eloquent enough to properly sum this up

Think you did just fine mate, summed up how I feel.

 

[Statto]

You’ve been around long enough to know that sacking managers doesn’t always change things…in fact in my lifetime, three managers have reinstated Forest’s top-flight status.
Frank Clark got us promoted, we sacked him and went down.
Dave Bassett got us promoted, we sacked him and went down.
Which brings us to Steve Cooper. Good luck Nuno, you need to break a trend here.

Right, so the argument falls down when one considers that we would no doubt have gone down under Clark.

After winning 3-0 on the opening day we then went 16 without a win which lasted until the end of Clark's time. We weren't conceding too many, though 4 vs Liverpool just before and Sunderland who'd just come up on the 2nd matchday, and then Man Utd, but we weren't scoring too many either, we'd failed to score in half of the 16 and only scored 1 in 4 of them.

Psycho managed to turn things around a bit, with 4 wins in 6, 1 draw, 1 loss, before we went 3 without scoring again, and then after the win in the next match they got Bassett in. But he was a player and not even really near the end of his career, and it says a lot that we didn't win under Bassett, though we only lost 4, a lot of draws. But it was clear with the winless run and the situation that Clark was out of ideas. It was probably losing Steve Stone to injury after only a few games which was the real blow though.

As for Bassett, well, the situation there was slightly different and also not really his doing. At the time I wanted him gone but then I was only 14/15 that season, and only a couple of years before we'd been in Europe and perhaps it felt not good enough without realising exactly what was going on. Also in hindsight we might have been better off as a unit telling PvH to get stuffed and stay off in the Netherlands as I'm sure him coming back did little for team unity and didn't get many goals anyway. But that was one of the issues, the other was that the squad only needed a few sensible additions but got massively weakened instead, and we really didn't stand a chance. So we should have stuck there really and hoped he could do the same magic in the Championship with a few sensible additions like 2 years before. But we didn't.

This season feels slightly different. We're not in the bottom 3, haven't been all season. We aren't playing that badly, just lack a cutting edge in the box and a competent keeper. There is still enough daylight between us and the bottom 3 for there to be a few wins and get massive amount of daylight back, or indeed, the reverse and if one of the promoted sides hits form we can get dragged into it. But we have save for a few deficient areas enough quality, one would assume.

Nuno has much less of a job than Pearce/Bassett or Atkinson in your previous examples to not make the pattern a pattern.

I would much rather still have stuck with Cooper, but this isn't going to happen, and Nuno isn't that bad a replacement.

 

[congo_red_49]

Right, so the argument falls down when one considers that we would no doubt have gone down under Clark.

After winning 3-0 on the opening day we then went 16 without a win which lasted until the end of Clark's time. We weren't conceding too many, though 4 vs Liverpool just before and Sunderland who'd just come up on the 2nd matchday, and then Man Utd, but we weren't scoring too many either, we'd failed to score in half of the 16 and only scored 1 in 4 of them.

Psycho managed to turn things around a bit, with 4 wins in 6, 1 draw, 1 loss, before we went 3 without scoring again, and then after the win in the next match they got Bassett in. But he was a player and not even really near the end of his career, and it says a lot that we didn't win under Bassett, though we only lost 4, a lot of draws. But it was clear with the winless run and the situation that Clark was out of ideas. It was probably losing Steve Stone to injury after only a few games which was the real blow though.

As for Bassett, well, the situation there was slightly different and also not really his doing. At the time I wanted him gone but then I was only 14/15 that season, and only a couple of years before we'd been in Europe and perhaps it felt not good enough without realising exactly what was going on. Also in hindsight we might have been better off as a unit telling PvH to get stuffed and stay off in the Netherlands as I'm sure him coming back did little for team unity and didn't get many goals anyway. But that was one of the issues, the other was that the squad only needed a few sensible additions but got massively weakened instead, and we really didn't stand a chance. So we should have stuck there really and hoped he could do the same magic in the Championship with a few sensible additions like 2 years before. But we didn't.

This season feels slightly different. We're not in the bottom 3, haven't been all season. We aren't playing that badly, just lack a cutting edge in the box and a competent keeper. There is still enough daylight between us and the bottom 3 for there to be a few wins and get massive amount of daylight back, or indeed, the reverse and if one of the promoted sides hits form we can get dragged into it. But we have save for a few deficient areas enough quality, one would assume.

Nuno has much less of a job than Pearce/Bassett or Atkinson in your previous examples to not make the pattern a pattern.

I would much rather still have stuck with Cooper, but this isn't going to happen, and Nuno isn't that bad a replacement.

Don’t go bringing context or details into this. Everyone knows ‘Nuno did it with Wolves he’ll do it’ without looking any deeper is the level we’re working at

 

[BryanRoy22]

It's very difficult to put into words. I never envisioned this day would come, even when speculation was running rife over the past few weeks. I stuck my head in the sand because I always had it in mind Cooper was here for many years to come. He was the perfect fit for Forest.

I've drafted a few posts on this thread this evening, deleted them, started again.

I suppose I've probably said all I need to say about Cooper over the last 2 years during his time as manager, and that's how I want to remember his time in charge. Ultimately, in admiration of his work, family orientated and traditional ways, his dignity in adversity, and genuine love of the club and fans. His ability to generate a special connection from the pitch to the stands that will never be forgotten.

All good things must come to an end although saying that I hope he will manage the club again at some point. But first things first, please don't go to Palace. Take a well deserved break Mr Cooper. Then after Euro 2024, sort out that England football team.

 

[Statto]

Don’t go bringing context or details into this. Everyone knows ‘Nuno did it with Wolves he’ll do it’ without looking any deeper is the level we’re working at

Lol, but my point is we are in a much better position in terms of league position, points, and even current form than when we changed managers in the last 2 PL relegation seasons.

for a start we aren't in the bottom 3 let alone rock bottom having not won since August (though actually, save the Villa game, the latter would be the case here too).

I'm not in favour of this in the slightest but it is the club's decision and actually as supporters we do have to back the team and the club. Maybe they do know what they're doing?

 

[Gyros Peter]

It's very difficult to put into words. I never envisioned this day would come, even when speculation was running rife over the past few weeks. I stuck my head in the sand because I always had it in mind Cooper was here for many years to come. He was the perfect fit for Forest.

I've drafted a few posts on this thread this evening, deleted them, started again.

I suppose I've probably said all I need to say about Cooper over the last 2 years during his time as manager, and that's how I want to remember his time in charge. Ultimately, in admiration of his work, family orientated and traditional ways, his dignity in adversity, and genuine love of the club and fans. His ability to generate a special connection from the pitch to the stands that will never be forgotten.

All good things must come to an end although saying that I hope he will manage the club again at some point. But first things first, please don't go to Palace. Take a well deserved break Mr Cooper. Then after Euro 2024, sort out that England football team.

His dignity and ability to really clearly articulate values and ethos is what sticks with me off the pitch too.

 

[congo_red_49]

Lol, but my point is we are in a much better position in terms of league position, points, and even current form than when we changed managers in the last 2 PL relegation seasons

I got your point the first time around.
But I’m making a point myself (and have been all day) that posters (not yourself) over simplifying things to the point of self-parody is becoming ridiculous.

 

[It's Baggio]

Sent from my EVR-L29 using Tapatalk

That's from a Twitter wind up account.

He's pretty good & often manages to reel a few in.

 

[Statto]

I got your point the first time around.
But I’m making a point myself (and have been all day) that posters (not yourself) over simplifying things to the point of self-parody is becoming ridiculous.

Can't read the future though can we?

I'll re-iterate, there is no way I would have agreed with sacking Cooper at this stage. But Nuno is a much more experienced and much more successful PL manager with a side he took up himself. Yes he was backed but Marinakis has done likewise. The club has decided, and this is what they are doing.

I'm sure very few of us would have been sat there 2 years and 3 months ago (or whenever) and thought when we sacked Hughton that we'd be promoted 9 months later. But it happened. The club chose to remove a promotion-winning manager and replace him with another.

It doesn't always work out, and yes, you are right that so far it has never done so for us.

And it didn't for Leeds, Leicester, or Southampton (twice) last season and megson knows how many times in the PL.

But Wolves kicked on with their change last season, and are doing well with O'Neil this. Bournemouth got rid of Parker last season and O'Neil kept them up. Villa were struggling and Emery now has them in title contention. It can work.

I agree about others - there's sentiment, and there's pragmatism. Whilst I like Cooper, he isn't NFFC. Very few managers are bigger than the clubs.

 

[congo_red_49]

Can't read the future though can we?

I'll re-iterate, there is no way I would have agreed with sacking Cooper at this stage. But Nuno is a much more experienced and much more successful PL manager with a side he took up himself. Yes he was backed but Marinakis has done likewise. The club has decided, and this is what they are doing.

I'm sure very few of us would have been sat there 2 years and 3 months ago (or whenever) and thought when we sacked Hughton that we'd be promoted 9 months later. But it happened. The club chose to remove a promotion-winning manager and replace him with another.

It doesn't always work out, and yes, you are right that so far it has never done so for us.

And it didn't for Leeds, Leicester, or Southampton (twice) last season and megson knows how many times in the PL.

But Wolves kicked on with their change last season, and are doing well with O'Neil this. Bournemouth got rid of Parker last season and O'Neil kept them up. Villa were struggling and Emery now has them in title contention. It can work.

I agree about others - there's sentiment, and there's pragmatism. Whilst I like Cooper, he isn't NFFC. Very few managers are bigger than the clubs.

I think you’re still missing the point

 

[Collymore!]

 

[Thomas]

I for one am optimistic but it may be the pills


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[Project Zeus]

I know full well that he won't, because he's not that kind of man, but I really hope Cooper looks at this thread and sees how highly he is thought of by thousands and thousands of people.

All the best, Steve.

Sent from my SM-G990B using Tapatalk

 

[Collymore!]

Can fans join him at the training ground, how do we get to say bye properly?

 

[congo_red_49]

I know full well that he won't, because hes not that kind of man, but I really hope Cooper looks at this thread and sees how highly he is thought of by thousands and thousands of people.

All the best, Steve.

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I can’t think of another manger we’ve sacked with their popularity intact.
(I think Cloughie resigned/retired?)

 

[DapperDan]

Yup, this lass is a self-made millionaire largely off the back off his track...

Can't see her cutting it as a rocket scientist.

Well that's bleach in my ears tonight then

 

[dr_horse]

Don’t go bringing context or details into this. Everyone knows ‘Nuno did it with Wolves he’ll do it’ without looking any deeper is the level we’re working at

Is it worth looking any deeper? We're trying to predict the future here.

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[Dirk Furtull]

Also change isn’t always bad. I think I would have been mad if we sacked coops at this moment anyway but if the replacement was a fresh manager with fresh ideas I’d be a little placated. Nuno plays just like cooper but he’s someone I don’t give a feck about and a Saudi sell out.

Anyway thank you Cooper you made a grown man cry for the first time in his life which wasn’t a funeral. You made my brother cry as well. Grown men in a pub crying…. That season was the best one ever in my life.

Unbelievable.

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[trentside69]

And most people could probably make a reasonable guess which camp each member of the squad would be in. Without them even needing to post on social media.

The fantastic performance we see from every forest player on Saturday will literally make you feel sick.