Steve Cooper remains out of work after departing from Leicester City, but the ex-Nottingham Forest boss’s future has taken another twist as opportunities arise.
After a slow start to the 24/25 season, Leicester sacked Cooper in what turned out to be a move of little effect as the club were still relegated from the Premier League.
Since then, Cooper landed a job with UEFA as a Technical Director, analysing Champions League games. His name has remained on the shortlists for plenty of jobs in England, though.
Cooper was linked with the Middlesbrough job most recently after Michael Carrick was dismissed on Teesside, but what looked to be a solid fit for the ex-Forest man has taken a twist.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Steve Cooper’s stance on the Middlesbrough job revealed
It’s difficult to know what Cooper will be expecting as his next role, given that he has been sacked twice from Premier League jobs but doesn’t actually have a relegation to his name.
A promotion-chasing Championship side seemed the most logical guess and Boro fans had already approved of Cooper, but the Welshman doesn’t seem keen on the job.
Through information from Jim White, talkSPORT’s Alex Crook confirmed that Cooper isn’t interested in the vacancy at Middlesbrough, meaning that his search for the next stage of his career continues.
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The Bristol City job is also available for Cooper should it appeal to him more, but further information from talkSPORT suggests that he has a different route in mind for his next role.
What Steve Cooper wants from his next managerial role
Thus far, Cooper has only worked in English football, first taking the England Under-17s job, then subsequent spells at Swansea City, Forest and Leicester.
According to talkSPORT, Cooper is now looking for more variety in his management portfolio, preferring to venture out of his comfort zone.
The report said that “Cooper is keen to work abroad instead,” a blow to any Championship owner who was looking for promotion experience.
When Cooper won the Under-17s World Cup with England, the tournament took place in India. By no means is he expected to return to the scene of that triumph, but perhaps the unique nature of the tournament has inspired him to seek another challenge further afield.