Former Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo favourite for Nottingham Forest job with Steve Cooper on the brink

Steve Cooper is on the brink of being sacked at Nottingham Forest, with former Tottenham manager Nuno Espirito Santo the favourite to replace him, talkSPORT understands.

Cooper was expected to be in charge for Saturday's visit to Bournemouth but owner Evangelos Marinakis has decided a change is needed.

Former Wolves and Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo has held talks with Marinakis and is being lined up for a return to the Premier League as Cooper's replacement.

Cooper is under pressure at the City Ground with the club sitting 17th in the Premier League table having picked up just three wins all season.

Forest have won just one of their last 13 Premier League games and are currently on a six-game winless run following their 2-0 defeat to Tottenham last time out.

It is believed former England Under-16 and U17 boss Cooper remains a popular figure amongst the dressing room, but club chiefs have made a decision over his future with Nuno in the frame to take charge.

The 49-year-old has already held talks with the club and would be interested if the opportunity arose.

Nuno was most recently in charge of Al Ittihad, where he guided them to the Saudi Pro League title last campaign.

A huge summer saw Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho and ex-Celtic star Jota arrive to the club.

But just months after steering Al Ittihad to their first league title in 14 years, he was relieved of his duties.

Nuno was axed two days after his side lost 2-0 to Iraqi outfit Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the AFC Champions League.

Later reports then stated that he had a bust-up with Benzema, with the pair exchanging insults in the dressing following the defeat.

In Al Ittihad's first match without Nuno, Benzema then bagged himself a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory.

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