FLEW THE COOP
Fans just realising sacked Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper’s dad also starred in Premier League
His father held a very different role within the top flight
STEVE COOPER'S dad also starred in the Premier League during the 1990s.
The former Nottingham Forest boss left his role at the City Ground on Tuesday after two years at the club.
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Following promotion in 2022, Cooper won 12 of his 55 Premier League matches in charge and kept Forest up last season.
However, he is not the first member of his family to have graced the top flight.
His dad, Keith Cooper, was a Premier League referee between 1993 and 1996.
The Welshman also officiated in the Football League, European Cup and in international matches as a Fifa-listed official.
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Across 71 Premier League fixtures over four seasons, he handed out 174 yellow cards and seven reds, as well as awarding 20 penalties.
His final top flight match came in April 1996 as Blackburn and Arsenal played out a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.
Meanwhile, he also took charge of the 1994 League Cup final between Aston Villa and Manchester United.
After retiring, Cooper became referees' officer for Wales before later moving into radio punditry.
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His son, however, has enjoyed a successful career in management, with winning the under-17 World Cup with England in 2017 before spells with Swansea and Forest.
The 44-year-old is now back in the job market, though, after he was sacked by Forest this week.
His exit comes after a run of just one win in 13 matches dating back to September saw the club slip to 17th in the table, five points above the drop zone.
Forest moved quickly to replace him, with Nuno Espirito Santo already appointed as his successor.
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