Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked after just four months at Tottenham (Photo: Getty)
Nottingham Forest have reportedly made contact with former Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, with Steve Cooper’s job hanging by a thread.
There has been much speculation over the past few weeks that Cooper will be sacked with his side struggling down in 17th in the Premier League table.
They are just five points above the relegation zone – having played a game more than 18th-placed Luton Town – and have won just three of 18 matches across all competitions.
While the Welshman is still in the dugout – for now – Forest have seemingly lined up his replacement should owner Evangelos Marinakis decide to pull the trigger.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Santo is Forest’s top candidate to take over from Cooper and the club have already made contact with the 49-year-old with talks ongoing.
Santo has been out of work since November after getting sacked by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, where he managed the likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho.
English fans will know him best for his spells in charge of Wolves and Tottenham, where with the former he won the Championship before guiding them to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Steve Cooper’s Forest have won just three games this season (Photo: Getty)
His time at Spurs was far less successful, where he lasted just four months, winning just eight of 17 games, with his defensive style of football garnering heavy criticism.
Santo has also managed Rio Ave and Porto in his native Portugal, as well as Spanish side Valencia.
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Former Swansea boss Cooper moved to the City Ground in 2021 with Forest bottom of the Championship and sensationally got them promoted to the Premier League in the same season before keeping them up against the odds.
Forest are set to take on in-form Bournemouth in their next match on Saturday.
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