Nottingham Forest ‘eye ex-Real Madrid boss tracked by Man Utd to replace Steve Cooper’

NOTTINGHAM FOREST are reportedly considering Julen Lopetegui as a potential replacement for Steve Cooper.

The Reds currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone.

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Steve Cooper is at risk of being sacked[/caption]

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Nottingham Forest are considering Julen Lopetegui[/caption]

Cooper‘s position came into question following Wednesday’s 5-0 defeat to Fulham.

Forest fans voiced their support for the manager after the match by chanting his name.

However, the 43-year-old insisted that he didn’t deserve the backing.

He told BBC Sport: “It means so much but I’m personally embarrassed, I’m grateful, of course, but I don’t deserve that [support].

“Regardless of who is playing, who the manager is, you can’t let these people down like that – you just can’t.

“We’ve shown over the last few years how important this club is to the city and the joy that it has given, so to not represent it in the way that it should be is hurtful. I take responsibility for that.

“I didn’t deserve that tonight from the supporters – we all let them down and we have to take responsibility.”

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is now understood to be concerned about the direction his club is heading in.

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And he has already started to consider other managerial candidates.

According to The Guardian, Lopetegui is on Forest’s radar.

Lopetegui left Wolves just before the start of the Premier League season, with Gary O’Neil taking the helm at Molineux.

Although he is yet to find a new job, the 57-year-old has been linked with a move to Manchester United.

He also turned down a mega money offer from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad which would have made him one of the world’s highest-paid managers.

With Cooper’s future in doubt, Saturday’s trip to Wolves could be make-or-break.