Nottingham Forest sack Cooper, hold talks with Nuno Espirito Santo

Forest has decided to act after losing five of their last six games, and Cooper was informed of the decision on Tuesday.

Nuno, 49, was fired in November by Saudi Pro-League club Al-Ittihad.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner has also been mentioned as a possible replacement, but it appears Nuno is now in the lead.

Forest, who are 17th in the Premier League table, have won just one of their last 13 games and have picked up eight points.

They’ve also won just one of their last six games and are five points ahead of third-bottom Luton, who have a game in hand.

Cooper has always had the support of the Forest fans, but owner Evangelos Marinakis has grown increasingly concerned about his club’s plight.

Forest host Bournemouth at the City Ground on Saturday, followed by trips to Newcastle United on December 26 and Manchester United at home on December 30.

Nuno led Wolves to promotion from the Championship in his first season in charge, followed by consecutive seventh-place finishes in the Premier League and a run to the Europa League quarter-finals.