Nottingham Forest cult hero Steve Cooper has broken his silence on his relationship with billionaire owner Evangelos Marinakis, shattering a widely held public perception regarding the controversial Greek businessman’s management style at the City Ground.
Cooper, who achieved legendary status in the East Midlands after guiding the Reds out of a 23-year exile and back into the Premier League in 2022, spent over two years working under Marinakis before his departure in December 2023. Throughout his tenure—and in the seasons following—pundits, media outlets, and rival supporters frequently claimed that Marinakis regularly interfered with first-team tactics, transfers, and matchday team selections.
However, appearing as a guest analyst on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Cooper delivered a passionate defense of the Forest owner, insisting that the common narrative surrounding his hands-on reputation is complete “drivel.”
”He Never Interfered”: Cooper Dispel the Meddling Rumors
Marinakis has frequently drawn negative national headlines—most notably when he walked onto the City Ground pitch to confront Nuno Espírito Santo during the 2024/25 campaign. Yet, according to Cooper, those rare high-visibility moments do not reflect how the Greek tycoon operates on a day-to-day basis with his managers.
While acknowledging that Marinakis demands total excellence and holds everyone to a winning standard, Cooper clarified that the owner gave him absolute tactical autonomy throughout his stint at the helm:
“He’s demanding; he’s a winner,” Cooper explained on Sky Sports. “I had, and I still have a good relationship with him now, but I won for him, so it’s easier when you’re a winning coach. Don’t get me wrong.
”He was demanding, particularly after losses, but he never interfered with team selection or game plans, and I wouldn’t hear from him before games really. I might hear from him after a loss or whatever, but that’s his prerogative, and that’s fine, I could live with that. We were always honest with each other.”
A Lasting Connection to the City Ground
During his appearance on Monday Night Football, Cooper spoke with immense warmth about his time in Nottingham, praising talismanic playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White and reflecting on the unbreakable bond he built with the local community.
“I loved my time at Forest and the connection that I and my family had with the club and the supporters and the city,” Cooper added. “In the end, the connection that I had with the supporters got us through the first year or so.”
What Cooper’s Verdict Means for Oliver Glasner
Cooper’s insightful revelations provide crucial context for current manager Oliver Glasner as Forest prepare to host Arsenal at the City Ground following back-to-back league defeats.
While headlines often paint Marinakis as an erratic, meddling chairman, Cooper’s firsthand testimony confirms that the Forest owner simply expects brutal accountability and results. For Glasner and his squad, the directive from the top remains crystal clear: deliver wins on the pitch, and the owner will give you the freedom to lead.
