Some managers rip down pictures of great teams from the past but Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper is happy to sing the achievements of Brian Clough’s European Cup winners from the rooftops.
As a young academy coach, Cooper worked alongside Kenny Dalgish at Liverpool, Forest’s FA Cup quarter-final opponents on Sunday. He saw directly how a living legend could inspire the next generation. There is no thought of hiding away from the great Cloughie teams that won trophies in three different decades.
‘We will always stand on their shoulders and rightly so,’ says Cooper, who is tasked with bringing the glory days back and has lost just four of 32 games since arriving in September.
Steve Cooper has guided Nottingham Forest to an FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool
‘It’s something we should embrace and be proud of. And of course we will try to create new chapters. That is the exciting bit for me.
‘I was always interested in what Forest achieved and have delved into it more since being at the club.
‘I’ve had the honour of meeting some of those greats. A lot still live in the area and come to the games. It is a natural thing for me to learn about the history and values of the club. It helps you feel part of who you work for.’
Cooper believes Forest stars should relish the club’s past glories including winning the European Cup under Brian Clough (above in 1980)
Forest were last in the Premier League 23 years ago and not reached this stage of the cup for even longer.
After plenty of false dawns, Cooper looks qualified to put things right. Forest have already beaten Arsenal and Leicester at The City Ground to earn their chance against Liverpool and two of their loan players James Garner and Djed Spence are in the latest England Under 21 squad.
Cooper himself has packed in a lot of experience for a 42-year-old. Son of referee Keith Cooper, he started coaching at Wrexham and spent five years at Liverpool, rising from Under 12s coach to academy manager. He saw young talents like Trent Alexander-Arnold blossom.
Dalglish, who was based at the Kirkby academy, took a shine to him. Cooper knew he one day wanted to be a first-team manager. The pair remain close and Cooper was on the guest list at the premiere of Kenny about the Scot’s extraordinary life.
Cooper previously worked with young players at Liverpool including Trent Alexander-Arnold (right), and it was Anfield he formed a good relationship with club legend Kenny Dalglish (left)
From Liverpool, Cooper managed England Under 17s and went on to win the World Cup. Gareth Southgate was on the interview panel that gave him the job and last week named three of Cooper’s former players Phil Foden, Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher for the senior squad to face Switzerland next weekend.
After first tasting life in the Championship with Swansea, Cooper’s impact on Forest is remarkable. They were bottom of the table when he joined but are now chasing a play-off spot.
The values he learned from Dalglish and Liverpool – putting players first and making sure the club operate like a family – are flourishing on the banks of the Trent.
‘We try to see the good in people,’ explains Cooper. ‘Players live in a world where they are heavily scrutinised and there are people always trying to look for the negative in them.
‘I don’t want the players to see the coaching staff like that. I want them to know we have their backs. That doesn’t mean we can’t challenge them and be demanding but we want to support them as well. Challenge and support.
‘Like with Liverpool, once you’ve contributed to the club, you are not forgotten. That’s why the guys who have gone before should always be part of the future as well.
‘Forest is a big club with a massive fan base but it is still built on togetherness and a city coming together for match day, a real sense of belonging.
‘To do that, you need to continue looking after people and treat them right going forward.’
Cooper’s Forest vibrates with the youthful energy of striker Brennan Johnson (20), Spence and Garner (both 21). But they also have knowhow in 32-year-old Jack Colback who started out at Sunderland with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and once scored a goal at Anfield for Newcastle.
Nottingham Forest are looking for another FA Cup upset when they host Liverpool on Sunday
‘I was with Jordan from the age of 11 all the way through until he left Liverpool,’ reflects Colback. ‘Did I think he would go on to do what he has done? No, probably not.
‘He always had the ability to play in the Premier League but to go on and captain Liverpool and lift the Premier League and Champions League, fair play to him. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves.
‘Technically he was always decent but I think his vision has certainly improved. He has done amazing things that people can only dream of. It is brilliant to see.’
The City Ground will be bouncing with excitement . ‘These are the sort of games Forest have been missing being outside the Premier League for so long,’ sums up Colback. ‘When they come along, it is extra special for the fans.’