Steve Cooper’s managerial career has been defined by his exceptional ability to nurture young talent and achieve historic milestones under immense pressure. While his time at Nottingham Forest is fondly remembered for revitalizing the club and bringing it back to the Premier League, his most significant coaching accomplishment came prior to his time at the City Ground, when he led England’s U17 squad to World Cup glory in 2017.

Cooper was appointed Nottingham Forest manager in September 2021, inheriting a struggling team sitting at the bottom of the Championship table. Through tactical astuteness and a remarkable turnaround in form, Cooper propelled Forest up the table and guided them to the playoffs. His crowning achievement at Forest came in May 2022 when he secured promotion to the Premier League after a dramatic playoff final victory. This ended the club’s 23-year absence from the top flight.

In his debut Premier League season, Cooper defied the odds once again, steering Forest to safety despite significant squad upheaval and the challenges of competing in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. However, the following campaign proved more challenging. A series of poor results led to his dismissal in December 2023. Despite this, Cooper’s transformative impact at Forest remains highly regarded, especially for his ability to develop key players and leave a lasting legacy.

However, Cooper’s crowning achievement as a coach predates his time at Forest. In 2017, he led England’s U17 squad to victory in the FIFA U17 World Cup, showcasing his exceptional ability to cultivate young talent. The squad he managed was filled with future stars, three of whom would later reunite with him at Nottingham Forest.

Jonathan Panzo

A pivotal figure in Cooper’s defensive setup during the U17 World Cup, Panzo played a key role in England’s triumph, starting in the final against Spain. Cooper’s trust in Panzo at such a young age helped the defender establish himself as one of the brightest defensive prospects of his generation. Panzo joined Nottingham Forest in January 2022 from Dijon, but his opportunities at the City Ground were limited, making just one appearance during the club’s Championship promotion campaign. Since then, Panzo has spent time on loan at Coventry City, Cardiff City, Standard Liège, and most recently Rio Ave, a club owned by Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis. While Panzo’s time at Forest has been characterized by loan moves, his connection to Cooper remains a significant part of his career development.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Perhaps the most high-profile player in Cooper’s U17 squad, Callum Hudson-Odoi was already on the cusp of breaking into Chelsea’s first team when he helped England lift the U17 World Cup. His electrifying performances in the tournament, combined with his rapid rise at Chelsea, marked him as one of the most exciting young talents in English football. However, injuries and limited opportunities at Chelsea stunted his progress. In the summer of 2023, Hudson-Odoi joined Nottingham Forest to reunite with Cooper and reignite his career. Although Cooper was sacked just a few months after Hudson-Odoi’s arrival