Yahoo News Steve Cooper ready to say yes to Nottingham Forest Premier League rival
Steve Cooper has reportedly indicated he would say yes to Nottingham Forest's close Premier League rivals Leicester City, were they to offer him a role as Enzo Maresca's replacement.
The Foxes found themselves caught up in the managerial merry-go-round this summer when Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino last month. Maresca emerged as a top target for the Londoners, now all signs point towards his announcement being confirmed on Monday afternoon.
This will leave Leicester in need of a new manager, and one name that has been floated is that of Forest's former boss, Cooper. The 44-year-old has been without work since he was dismissed from his post at the City Ground last December, now The Sun claim he would make a shock jump at the opportunity to join the club's East Midlands adversaries.
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Reports over recent months have said Cooper is eager to get back into management quickly, but would be selective about his options and wait for the right Premier League vacancy. The Sun explain that this has so far involved rejecting an approach from relegated Burnley to take over from Vincent Kompany, who has joined Bayern Munich.
Given Forest and Leicester's regional rivalry, there was some understandable questions whether he would take an offer there, however this latest claim seems to suggest it would not be an issue for the Welshman. He is still settled in the area seven months on from losing the Forest job, so would be a practical next venture.
It is said Leicester, who are returning to the top-flight after a one-year absence, would hand Cooper a budget to work with in the transfer market. They also wish him to improve the current squad by playing attacking football, with the ultimate goal of survival in the division.
Cooper is currently listed as the 5/2 second favourite with bookmakers for the Leicester job, trailing only West Bromwich Albion's Carlos Corberan.
