Michael Owen insists its ‘ridiculous’ Steve Cooper faces the axe at Nottingham Forest and claims he would have been ‘long gone’ without fan support… before touting him as ‘perfect’ to take over at Crystal Palace

Michael Owen has claimed Nottingham Forest have wanted to part company with Steve Cooper for ‘some time’, as he faces the sack ahead of their match against Wolves.

Cooper is under mounting pressure at Forest following four consecutive Premier League defeats, with the latest a 5-0 hammering against Fulham on Wednesday.

Mail Sport revealed Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who allegedly threw his match accreditation into a bush after leaving the match early, is poised to start the search for a new manager.

Cooper has insisted he is not focused on his position ahead of today’s match away to Wolves.

Former Liverpool and Man United striker Owen has claimed it is ‘ridiculous’ there are suggestions Cooper will be sacked should he lose against Wolves.

Michael Owen has claimed it is ‘ridiculous’ Cooper could be sacked if Forest lose on Saturday

The pundit suggested the Crystal Palace job would be ‘perfect’ for Cooper should he be sacked

The pundit, writing on X, believes Cooper would not be out of work for long should he be sacked by Forest and believes the Welshman would be perfect to take over at Crystal Palace.    

‘I can’t get my head around today being make or break for Steve Cooper,’ Owen posted.

‘Lose and you lose your job? Ridiculous if that’s the case. 

‘Although it seems the club have been looking to part company for some time. If it wasn’t for the fans’ love for him he’d be long gone. And if it happens, he won’t be out of work long. 

‘The Crystal Palace job looks perfect for him.’

Mail Sport reported that Cooper remains a long-term managerial target for Palace and has significant backing at the south London club.

If the Forest boss is dismissed, Palace may consider accelerating their long-term plan to replace Roy Hodgson before the end of the season if they believe Cooper is obtainable.

Mail Sport understands there is growing agitation behind the scenes at Palace over Hodgson’s position at the club amid growing supporter discontent.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is expected to start a search for a replacement for Cooper

Cooper is a long-term target for Crystal Palace, where Roy Hodgson is under pressure

Speaking on Mail Sport’s It’s All Kicking Off podcast, Ian Ladyman suggested to Chris Sutton that Forest sacking Cooper could create a domino effect in the Premier League.

‘I think the time is probably nigh for Steve,’ he told Sutton during Thursday’s podcast.

‘I’m not saying it’s right but from what we’re hearing I think Steve might be on his way, and what is interesting is there’s a school of thought that if Cooper does leave, Crystal Palace may feel compelled to do something about Roy Hodgson so they can slide Cooper in.

‘There could be a bit of a domino effect about to happen in the Premier League. And that shows how precarious a manager’s standing can be.’