Nottingham Forest are in talks with Steve Cooper over becoming their permanent replacement for Chris Hughton, according to Sky Sports. 

Hughton was sacked on Thursday morning after his side's dreadful start to the 2021/22 campaign, with Forest currently bottom of the Championship with just one point from their first seven games.

Steven Reid has been installed as the club's caretaker manager but the search for a new permanent boss is underway.

Sky Sports has reported that Forest are in talks with Cooper, who is the leading candidate to take charge at the City Ground following the departure of Hughton, though those are said to be a relatively early stage meaning Reid is likely to be in charge for Saturday's game against Huddersfield Town.

It is understood that the 41-year-old's impressive record with young players, from both his time with the England age-group sides and Swansea City, is one of the key factors that has drawn the East Midlands club to him.

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Cooper has been jobless since leaving the Swans in the summer, having taken then to the play-offs in both of his seasons in charge in South Wales, but reports have suggested that the Reds will have to pay his former club a compensation fee to appoint him.

The Verdict

Given that it's emerged that Forest are keen to appoint a coach that has a good record with youth players and has a more modern approach than Hughton, Cooper makes a lot of sense.

There's no arguing with the fact that he took the Swans to the play-offs in back-to-back seasons, while he clearly has a great record coaching young players.

Not only did he aid the development of the likes of Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden when he was in the England youth set-up but his Swansea sides had a core of young players as well.

Forest have some exciting prospects in their squad and his arrival should be a boost for players such as Brennan Johnson, Alex Mighten, and James Garner.

The talks appear to still be in the early stages but it seems the Welshman is on track to become Hughton's replacement at this point.