'Bringing out the best in me' - Awoniyi sends message to sacked Nottingham Forest manager Cooper

Taiwo Awoniyi has taken to social media to send an emotional message to Steve Cooper after the 2017 England U17 World Cup-winning manager was sacked on Tuesday, December 19.

Nottingham Forest have ended their collaboration with the coach that guided them to the Premier League via the playoffs at the end of the 2021-2022 season. 

The Reds are having a disappointing season as they currently sit seventeenth in the Premier League standings and have not won since November 5 when they beat Aston Villa at the City Ground. 

Cooper played a key role in Awoniyi's return to the Premier League in the summer of 2022, with Forest breaking their transfer record to sign him on a five-year deal. 

The Nottingham Forest number 9 unfortunately could not help Cooper save his job as he has been sidelined since November 16 when he aggravated a groin injury while on international duty with the Super Eagles in a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho. 

Awoniyi made 41 appearances with Steve Cooper in the Nottingham Forest dugout and was on target fifteen times while registering three assists. 

The 26-year-old has thanked Cooper for the role he played in his development and his return to the Premier League. 

"Thank you for helping me make my big dream come true and bringing out the best in me. All the very best gaffer," Awoniyi posted on Instagram on Tuesday night.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who has coached Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the past, is in advanced talks to become the new Nottingham Forest coach. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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