Nottingham Forest have identified two surprising candidates to potentially replace Steve Cooper at the City Ground, with current Premier League managers Marco Silva and Ange Postecoglou both under consideration.
Ambitious Targets Emerge for Tricky Trees
The Forest hierarchy are reportedly weighing up ambitious moves for Fulham's Marco Silva and Tottenham's Ange Postecoglou, despite both managers being currently employed at top-flight rivals. This represents a significant shift in strategy for the Midlands club, who have traditionally favoured British managers.
Marco Silva has impressed during his tenure at Craven Cottage, guiding Fulham to comfortable mid-table security while implementing an attractive, attacking style of football. His previous experience with Premier League survival battles at Hull City and Watford makes him an appealing candidate for Forest's ongoing fight against relegation.
Postecoglou's Remarkable Rise Catches Forest's Eye
Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou's stunning start to life at Tottenham has not gone unnoticed at the City Ground. The Australian's transformative effect on Spurs' playing style and mentality has marked him as one of the most sought-after coaches in English football, despite only arriving in North London last summer.
"The club's owners are thinking big and want a manager who can implement a clear footballing philosophy," a source close to the club revealed. "Both Silva and Postecoglou fit that profile perfectly."
Cooper's Position Remains Under Scrutiny
Despite guiding Forest to Premier League safety last season and becoming a fan favourite, Steve Cooper's position has come under increasing pressure following a difficult start to the current campaign. The Welshman's relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis has reportedly become strained in recent weeks.
The club's ambitious recruitment strategy has seen over 30 new players arrive since promotion, creating significant pressure to achieve immediate results. Forest currently sit precariously above the relegation zone, increasing speculation about Cooper's long-term future.
What This Means for Forest's Future
- Potential shift to more expansive, attacking football
- Continuation of ambitious recruitment policy
- Increased pressure on current management team
- Significant financial commitment required for compensation
While any move for either manager would require substantial compensation packages and would likely face significant competition, Forest's interest demonstrates their ambition to establish themselves as a permanent Premier League force.
