Steve Cooper favourite in the next Nottingham Forest manager betting

And so it begins.

Chris Hughton has today (Thursday) become the first managerial casualty of the 2021/22 season after Nottingham Forest opted to wield the axe following a winless start to the campaign.

A 2-0 defeat at home to Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough proved to be the final straw for the Forest hierarchy who sacked Hughton 12 hours later, and subsequently placed Steven Reid in interim charge for Saturday’s clash away to Carlos Corberan’s Huddersfield, who have enjoyed a cracking opening period with 13 points from seven games. 

Forest are no strangers to chopping-and-changing managers with Hughton Forest's 14th, yes 14th, victim in the last decade.

So, who will the Championship’s basement club turn to next?

Steve Cooper has emerged as the early odds-on favourite in the next Nottingham Forest manager odds market.

Cooper, 41, is currently available for hire having left his post at Swansea just before the start of the season. During a two-year spell in charge he led the Swans to consecutive top-six Championship finishes and agonisingly lost in the play-off final back in May.

The Welshman, who was hotly linked with Crystal Palace over the summer, previously propelled England U17s to World Cup glory.

He could now be in-line for a swift return to management, with The Telegraph journalist John Percy reporting that Forest are ready to open talks, and are even hopeful that an appointment could be made before the weekend. 

Cooper’s record of developing young players is no doubt a source of attraction for Forest who now have a Category One Academy. However, there could be concerns over his style of play, given that his Swansea side weren’t known for their attacking panache.

All fingers point to Cooper at this early stage, but the club's manager search has only just opened up meaning there could be movement and changes throughout the day.

Chris Wilder currently features at 5/2 to return to management at the City Ground, followed by John Terry (5/1) and Alex Neil (8/1). Neil is looking for his first job since leaving Preston in March, whereas Terry is searching for his first job in management.

Frank Lampard and Eddie Howe are out at 20/1, and in truth they are both unlikely appointments, while the likes of Neil Harris, Chris Powell, Derek McIness, and former Reds player Roy Keane are nestled amongst a host of names at 25/1.

Full odds below..