Leeds United already consider move to hire Steve Cooper amid development at Nottingham Forest
Leeds United are already considering making a move for Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper at the end of the season despite appointing Javi Gracia last month, according to the Daily Mail.
The West Yorkshire outfit announced the former Watford coach as their new manager on a flexible contract [21 February] following the sacking of Jesse Marsch on 6 February.
However, there is no certainty that the club will keep Gracia on even if he manages to keep the club in the Premier League, and the Whites have already scouted their next managerial target.
According to the Daily Mail [3 March, page 74], a number of Premier League clubs could all make a move for Cooper who has built an impressive reputation as one of the country’s best young coaches.
Tottenham, Chelsea, West Ham, Southampton and Leeds are keeping a keen eye on one of the managers of the season candidate. Cooper only signed a new contract at the City Ground earlier this season in a deal which runs to 2025.
Ambitious
The fact that Leeds have already found their next managerial target means there is huge uncertainty surrounding Gracia’s future, even after he’s only managed two games.
But, there’s no wrong in planning ahead and Cooper is certainly an ambitious move from the Whites considering the number of names also considering making a move for the 43-year-old.
Cooper has built a huge reputation for himself after the tremendous work he’s done at Nottingham Forest so far, leading them back to the Premier League and steering them away from the top flight’s relegation zone.
However, if Cooper was to leave the City Ground at the end of the season, you’d be guessing he’d have a great pick between West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea over Leeds which means a potential move for his services seems heavily unlikely.
The Whites can only dream in trying to acquire one of the most sought-after young coaches in the game. If Chelsea are also in the running for Cooper, why not Leeds make an approach for Graham Potter if he’s sacked?
In other Leeds United news, the club were snubbed by this former Premier League manager.