Steve Cooper appointed Nottingham Forest head coach until the end of next season after club agrees compensation deal with Swansea

Steve Cooper is back in management after being hired as Nottingham Forest’s new head coach, replacing the axed Chris Hughton.

Despite leaving Swansea in July, two months after their Championship play-off final defeat by Brentford, Cooper was still under contract at the Welsh club – meaning that Forest had to pay compensation.

The 41-year-old has signed a deal until the summer of 2023 and is their 14th manager in the past 10 years.

Cooper’s predecessor Hughton was sacked on Thursday – a day after their 2-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough left them rooted at the bottom of the Championship.

Cooper Forest’s ‘first choice’

Dane Murphy, Nottingham Forest chief executive, is delighted with their new recruit: ‘Steve was our first choice as head coach and we are delighted to have secured his services,’ he said. ‘His record of developing young talent is exceptional.

‘Steve knows what is required to be successful in the Championship and has a proven track record with Swansea.

‘We have reduced the age of our squad over the summer and Steve is the ideal coach to blend a team to start moving us up the table.

‘On behalf of the owner and the Board, we welcome Steve to the club and look forward to providing every support he needs to be a success at Nottingham Forest.’

Millwall at home first up

Cooper’s first match in charge is on Saturday at home to Millwall. The Welshman will be hoping to build on the club’s first win of the season at the weekend when they beat Huddersfield 2-0 under Steven Reid.