Premier League manager has 'told friends' he expects to be sacked with replacement already lined up

The first Premier League managerial casualty of the season took place this week and the second could be imminent.

Paul Heckingbottom was relieved of his duties by Sheffield United, who elected to bring Chris Wilder back to the club in a bid to avoid immediate relegation to the Championship.

But when one comes, it seems like another follows and it appears as though Steve Cooper will be getting the boot at Nottingham Forest.

Forest were hammered 5-0 by Fulham on Wednesday night and now sit dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Cooper received a special ovation from the travelling away supporters despite the trouncing but it seems his days are numbered.

According to Wayne Veysey of Footy Insider, Cooper believes he is heading for the sack and has told friends he is "aware of the whispers" about the predicament.

The 43-year-old has seen his side win just three times in 15 Premier League games this season.

Image: Getty

He has been under pressure by Forest's top brass on two occasions in the past but this time there is an expectancy that he won't be in charge at the City Ground any longer.

Ironically, one of the main managerial targets for Forest is said to be Marco Silva, the man who may well have inflicted Cooper's dismissal on Wednesday evening at Craven Cottage.

Silva worked under Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis at Olympicacos.

The Daily Mail say the ex Watford and Everton boss is a top contender, along with former Wolves and Spain manager Julen Lopetegui.

Cooper couldn't hide his disappointment after the defeat to Fulham and said he is "embarrassed".

Image: Getty

He told the BBC: "I don't deserve it. I'm grateful. But I don't deserve it the players don't."

He added: 'I have to take ownership for that (the defeat). But it's embarrassing. I don't deserve it (the applause from fans). And we have to take responsibility for that."