Nuno Espirito Santo has proven to be a fantastic appointment for Nottingham Forest, but much of the foundation for his success was laid by former manager Steve Cooper.
Rio Ferdinand believes Forest may struggle to hold on to Morgan Gibbs-White given how well he’s performed under Espirito Santo. However, it was Cooper who first brought him to the club, having worked with him previously in England’s youth setup. That existing relationship played a crucial role in Cooper’s decision to sign Gibbs-White—a move that’s turned out to be an inspired one.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, another member of the England youth team that Cooper led to World Cup victory, has also made a strong impact at the City Ground. Forest secured his services for just £3 million while Cooper was still in charge. Recent details have highlighted just how instrumental Cooper was in bringing in yet another of Forest’s current stars: Anthony Elanga.
Steve Cooper’s Key Role in Signing Anthony Elanga
Cooper faced a significant challenge following the 2023 summer transfer window when Forest sold their attacking talisman Brennan Johnson. However, the club had already lined up a replacement in Anthony Elanga, who joined for £15 million—a move that now looks like a bargain.
According to the Daily Mail, Cooper played a major role in persuading Elanga to join Forest. Despite modest headline stats, Forest’s recruitment team took a deeper analytical dive and were convinced Elanga would thrive with regular playing time. Cooper backed that belief with a detailed Zoom presentation outlining his vision for the young Swede and the appeal of playing in front of Forest’s passionate fans. That effort helped the club beat Everton to his signature.
Looking at the current season, the deal to bring Elanga in appears even smarter when compared to Johnson’s performance at Tottenham.
Elanga Outshining Johnson
Forest are now preparing to offer Elanga a new contract to reflect his growing importance under Espirito Santo. The numbers back it up:
While Johnson has a strong eye for goal—as seen with his 10-goal tally in Forest’s first season back in the Premier League—Elanga surpasses him in almost every other category. His creativity, in particular, stands out, highlighted by his three assists in the 7-0 win over Brighton in February.
Though Espirito Santo is now reaping the rewards of Elanga’s brilliance, it was Steve Cooper’s vision and groundwork that made the deal possible.
Steve Cooper masterclass as details emerges of a Zoom call to secure £15m transfer for Nottingham Forest
