Manager’s job may now be on the line in Nottingham Forest v Everton
Steve Cooper could lose his job if Nottingham Forest fail to beat Everton next weekend, according to journalist Daniel Storey.
Forest have lost back-to-back games either side of the international break to slip down to 15th in the Premier League.
Everton visit the City Ground next Saturday (2 December) in a huge showdown, which could determine Cooper’s future.
Speaking on the Totally Football Show [27 November, 1hr, 3m, 41s], Storey said: “It should also be said that if Forest don’t beat Everton at home next weekend, I think Steve Cooper may lose his job.
“It’s felt like Steve Cooper has been under pressure ever since Forest got promoted, but they do not want to be where they are right now.”
Asked who he expects to replace Cooper if the Welshman is axed, Storey said: “My semi-educated guess would be Julen Lopetegui, who has been living in the Midlands for the last x number of months. I think he’d be the obvious candidate.”
Close the gap
Everton’s trip to Nottingham next weekend is massive for both sides. Everton cannot afford to let the gap on safety grow any further, with Forest surely one of their relegation rivals.
The Reds are nine points better off heading into this showdown – a gap that could grow to 12 points, shrink to six or indeed remain the same.
Right now, it is looking like Forest, Bournemouth and Luton Town are Everton’s best bet of dodging the drop, assuming Sheffield United and Burnley occupy the bottom two spots.
Unlike Cooper, Sean Dyche’s job does not appear to be under any threat, which is rightly so when you consider his work since arriving earlier this year.
The points deduction has changed the complexion of the Toffees’ season, and they now need to find some form once again if they are to get out of this situation.
In other Everton news, an NBC Sports pundit has pointed out a “worrying” aspect of the Toffees’ defeat to Manchester United.