‘Huge credit’… Gary Lineker very impressed by 46-year-old manager who Nottingham Forest ‘dream’ of appointing

‘Huge credit’… Gary Lineker very impressed by 46-year-old manager who Nottingham Forest ‘dream’ of appointing

‘Huge credit’… Gary Lineker very impressed by 46-year-old manager who Nottingham Forest ‘dream’ of appointing

Gary Lineker has raved about Nottingham Forest-linked Marco Silva. The Reds would dearly love to appoint the Portuguese boss should a decision be made on Steve Cooper.

The Reds head coach has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. Speculation over his future has intensified recently, following a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Silva’s Fulham last Wednesday.

Forest did bounce back on Saturday by claiming a well-deserved point at Wolves. Harry Toffolo did give Forest the lead in that one, but Matheus Cunha snatched a point for the hosts.

Lineker raves about Forest-linked boss Silva
Evangelos Marinakis was so incensed after the Fulham game that he tossed his matchday pass into a bush. Still, he didn’t decide to pull the plug on Cooper and he lives to fight another day.

It did come out shortly after, however, that Forest dream of appointing Silva, with the club’s owner a huge fan having worked with him at Olympiacos in the past.

On this week’s edition of The Rest is Football, Lineker and Alan Shearer praised Fulham. They followed up the 5-0 win over Forest by beating West Ham by the same scoreline on Sunday.

Shearer said: “What about Fulham, eh, five goals against Forest and another five on Sunday. Raul Jimenez has found the way to go again.”

Lineker was keen to focus on Silva and continued: “I think the manager deserves huge credit as well for those results.”

Silva would be amazing appointment if Cooper goes
It’s not unreasonable to suggest that Cooper might leave even if the form picks up. It emerged last week that Crystal Palace like the Forest man and are closely monitoring the situation.

At 46-years-old, the Forest-linked Silva has really worked wonders at Fulham. He led them to promotion in his maiden season and during 2022/23 he oversaw a 10th place finish in the Premier League.

Before Silva signed a new contract, he had a release clause inserted. However, it’s not clear whether the Cottagers have included one in his new deal or not.

For now, Forest will continue to back Cooper. It’s not unfair to suggest that Marinakis has already started sounding out alternatives, however, in a sad indictment of modern-day football.

Silva would be a wonderful addition if Forest do decide to let Cooper loose. He knows the league, is a burgeoning coach, and would ultimately welcome the financial backing that Marinakis typically gives his managers.