Steve Cooper to remain Nottingham Forest manager as owner Evangelos Marinakis backs boss. 

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has backed Steve Cooper to stay in charge and “end the speculation and the false and disruptive reporting”; Forest are above the relegation zone only on goal difference and are winless in eight matches after losing at Leeds on Tuesday

Steve Cooper will remain as Nottingham Forest manager but “results and performances must improve immediately”, the club have said.

Forest sit above the bottom three only on goal difference having not won any of their last eight matches.

They suffered a damaging defeat at relegation rivals Leeds on Tuesday which increased speculation over Cooper’s future, but Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has backed his manager.

A statement read: “No one denies that our club is in a difficult position in the Premier League, but we wish to end the speculation and the false and disruptive reporting in the media to confirm that Steve Cooper remains our manager at Nottingham Forest.

“We have all been disappointed with recent performances and it is very clear that a lot of hard work needs to be done to address this urgently. Results and performances must improve immediately.

“Now is the time for everyone connected with our club, from us as owners, to the board, our supporters, backroom staff, coaches and players – to come together and fight to secure our status in the Premier League.

“There can be no time for distractions, rumours and speculation. There is only time for hard work, determination, a commitment from Steve and the players to getting the results we need and, of course, the continued magnificent support of the fans of Nottingham Forest.”