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Stuart Broad was ‘deeply disappointed’ before Mary Earps missed out on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
And the reason for this is Nottingham Forest’s decision to sack Steve Cooper.
Broad is a thoroughly Nottingham player, having played cricket for Nottinghamshire for 15 years before retiring from cricket earlier this year.
He’s also a big fan of the football team, which made the decision to fire Cooper yesterday.
Stuart Broad attended the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony in Salford on Tuesday night
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Cooper was relieved of his duties at the City Ground after the club had won only one of its last 13 matches.
Nuno Espirito Santos, who has so far managed Wolves and Tottenham in the Premier League, has taken over.
And Broad said ahead of the ceremony in Manchester that he was disappointed by his club’s decision.
“I’m very disappointed,” the former bowler told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“What he has done for our football club is outstanding.
“He let us fans live the dream, [Forest were] It had been 23 years without a Premier League appearance and he was the man who took our team there.
“Instead of being too sad at his departure – although we will all feel this for some time – we need to look back on his reign as one of the most remarkable since Clough [Brian Clough] Era.”
Cooper was appointed as forest manager in September 2021.
He inherited a team that was bottom of the Championship, devoid of ideas and imagination.
Yet Cooper immediately worked wonders and managed to take the club to the Premier League, defying all odds and expectations in the process.
The 44-year-old was also able to ensure Forest remained in the relegation zone last term, with the club finishing 16th in the table.
They finished four points adrift of safety, with Southampton, Leeds and Leicester all going down instead.
Yet with Forest struggling so far this season, Cooper has now found himself out of a job.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis confirmed Cooper’s dismissal on Tuesday and thanked the Englishman for the work he has done.
He said: “Everyone at Nottingham Forest would like to thank Steve for his outstanding contribution to our football club.
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Stuart Broad ‘furious’ at Nottingham Forest’s decision to sack Steve Cooper
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“His achievement in bringing Forest back to the Premier League will undoubtedly remain an iconic moment in the club’s history.
“We thank Steve for his dedication and commitment during his time with us, as well as the incredible relationship he has built with our supporters and the city of Nottingham.
“Steve will always be a friend of the club and will always be welcomed at the City Ground.
“We wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Broad came second in the BBC Spotty Awards, with the Mary Earps taking out the coveted gong.
Stuart Broad lost to Mary Earps at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday night
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And the Manchester United and England goalkeeper joked she felt ‘sick’ after being presented with the award.
“I feel a bit sick actually,” commented the shot-stopper, who helped England reach the Women’s World Cup final in the summer.
“I have to say how humbled I am to be among these incredible athletes.
“Sport is a fantastic thing that brings the world together and hearing your stories is incredible.
“Thank you everyone for voting for me, I feel very honored and humbled.
“It’s the ultimate all-round sporting honour, we’ve had an amazing few years for the Lionesses and Manchester United. But this is wow.”
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