Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper ‘could still go’ in the international break, although that seems unlikely, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.
The 42-year-old has come under pressure in recent weeks following a run of disappointing results, but it appears he will be given time to turn things around at the City Ground.
What is the latest news involving Cooper?
Forest are currently sitting in 19th position in the Premier League standings after picking up just four points from their opening seven top-flight fixtures.
The Midlands outfit made a promising start to the season, though, after integrating an astounding 23 new signings into their first-team squad, securing a victory over West Ham United and holding Everton to a draw.
However, since those results at the start of August, Forest have lost four top-flight fixtures on the bounce, leaking 14 goals along the way to leave them lingering in the relegation zone.
Home defeats to fellow newly-promoted sides Bournemouth and Fulham in their last two fixtures will have been particularly damaging for Cooper, and he will need to see improvements when domestic football returns next month.
What has Sheth said about Cooper?
Wolves boss Bruno Lage and Leicester City’s Brendan Rodgers are also coming under scrutiny following underwhelming starts to 2022/23, yet Sheth doesn’t believe any of the trio are set to lose their jobs just yet.
He told GiveMeSport: “That hasn't happened at Leicester or at Nottingham Forest or at Wolves at all just yet. But then you've also got to remember what's happening behind the scenes at the club as well.
“Because if, for example, they are after another manager, and they find that that manager is not available, say that manager became available the day after the international break finished, there's still a possibility that one of these managers could still go.
“But as it stands, it seems like they're going to be given that chance to turn things around at those clubs.”
What’s next for Forest?
Forest’s next fixture after the international break could determine the futures of both Cooper and Rodgers, given they are set to take on bottom-placed Leicester.
The Foxes are still to pick up a first league win of the season and will be aiming to secure all three points when they host their local rivals at the King Power Stadium on Monday Night Football.
Addressing Forest’s defensive issues will be paramount for Cooper if he is to keep his job, and this pause in the fixture schedule may have come at just the right time for him.