THE OPEN GOAL CARDIFF CITY SIMPLY CANNOT IGNORE

Day number seventy-one without a permanent manager has arrived, and Cardiff are still no closer to appointing Erol Bulut's successor. In the light of the recent Fan Advisory Board open letter, and recent rumours, there's a man available that City simply cannot ignore...

Ex-Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper.

Reports on Sunday have suggested that Steve Cooper would relish the opportunity to manage Cardiff City. The Pontypridd-born manager has family connections with The Bluebirds, with Cooper's dad, former referee Kevin Cooper, supporting Cardiff City.

Cooper began his coaching career in the youth ranks with England, guiding a young Three Lions side to a World Cup victory. In 2019, Cooper stepped into first team management with Swansea City. Cooper departed The Swans in the summer of 2021 after back-to-back play-off finishes.

Cooper then moved onto Nottingham Forest in September 2021, with The Reds bottom of the Championship. The Welshman transformed Forest and guided them to a play-off victory and a return to the Premier League. The Reds would then have a overhaul following promotion, with Cooper guiding Forest to safety in their first season back in the top flight. After a poor start to the next season, Cooper was dismissed in 2023.

In the summer of 2024, Cooper was appointed new Leicester City manager following The Foxes' promotion to the Premier League. Things weren't to be, as Cooper was dismissed in November 2024.

Style of Management:

Cooper's style is clearly effective at Championship level, particularly at Nottingham Forest. The former Swansea boss' approach is a commitment to personal development and man-management rather than to one style of play.

The 44 year-old likes his teams to play with "good organisation and structure". He prefers his teams to control the game by being brave on the ball and confident when passing. Cooper coaches his teams to have tactical discipline; defensively, he prefers his players to regain possession through composure and aggression.

Cooper is committed to personal development and man-management. He draws inspiration from mantras such as those of motivational speaker Sam Zell. 'Coops' teams are able to adapt to the strength or system of the opponent. This might mean less possession at times, but it doesn't necessarily mean less control. Cooper's style of play has been described as pragmatic and flexible, and some say he's not shy about taking a practical approach when needed.

Valuable Experience:

Three Championship seasons, three play-off finishes. That's not me saying Cardiff would finish in the play-offs if Cooper were to join, however he has a proven track record at this level. Cooper has proven he is available to adapt to the squad he has, and to get the best out of players and take them to another level.

Not only is Cooper's experience at senior level valuable, but Cooper's experience in youth football is as valuable. Cooper led England's U17 to a World Cup, with many of the members of that squad now playing every week in the top two divisions of English Football. This showing Cooper has a track record of maximising players' potential and ability.

These two things make Cooper massively attractive. A manager that can maximise individuals, and can adapt. As well as being a manager that excels n developing younger players, this is important giving this somewhat of a Golden Generation coming up through the ranks.

Building Relationships:

To be a manager at Cardiff City, you need to be a character. Cooper has a track record of building strong relationships with players and fans.

At Nottingham Forest, Cooper was big on unity at the club and insisted players all celebrate a goal together, and it was his man-management style that seemed the most effective. Cooper became known for short, sharp meetings with his players every day, so they could take in the information he was providing in small bursts. He formed a leadership group of five or six players that he would lean on to manage the dressing room. He also did not like to be seen as an authority figure and didn’t like the players calling him ‘Boss’ or ‘Gaffer’, simply ‘Coops’ or Steve. The message being that everyone is in it together.

In terms of relationship with fans, if Nottingham Forest fans singing Cooper's name when Forest played Leicester doesn't tell you enough, then I don't know what does. Cooper has always built strong connections with fans at clubs he's been too, this obviously helps with on the field success, but Cooper is known for making an effort to understand the fans and the area at the clubs he's been at to date.

Summary:

Cooper fits the bill at a club like Cardiff which has potential, but at this moment in time shows no sign of fulfilling it. The 44 year-old can adapt to quality in Cardiff's ranks and get them to play a proper way and one that will take us up the table.

People have concerns about being ex-Swansea, but I feel Cardiff's situation is above that. Cooper fits the bill and that's what should be at the forefront of City fans' minds. Those that don't want Cooper because of this, when they describe what type of manager they do want, they describe everything Steve Cooper is.

Cardiff need a manager and quick, and if Cooper wants it, give to him NOW!

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