Steve Cooper sacked by Danish side in damning statement after eight months

Steve Cooper has been sacked by Brondby after failing to secure European qualification.

The Danish side announced on Friday they had parted ways with the former Nottingham Forest boss.

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It came just a day after they were beaten by Copenhagen in the Superliga’s European play-off.

As a result of the defeat, Brondby missed out on a place in next season’s Conference League.

Cooper had been in charge for eight months following his appointment in September.

However, he has now departed alongside his assistant Alan Tate.

Brondby have also confirmed the appointment of a new director of football, Julius Ohnesorge.

Brondby statement

In a statement following Cooper’s sacking, vice-chairman Scott McLachlan said: “With the appointment of Steve, we made a choice that we both believed and hoped would lift the club to a new level.

“It has done so in several aspects, but neither the results nor the performances on the pitch have followed suit.

“Therefore, today we have chosen to say goodbye to both Steve and Alan.”

He added: “We send them on with our great respect and gratitude for their efforts and commitment to the club, concludes McLachlan.”

Cooper won nine of his 26 league matches as Brondby boss, which included a seven-match winless streak to end the regular season.

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That run continued for a further four matches in the Championship stage as his side ended the campaign 22 points adrift of champions Aarhus.

Having secured a fourth place finish on the final day, though, they were beaten by Copenhagen in their final chance to qualify for Europe.

Cooper’s tenure was not without incident after he was accused of dropping Bosnian midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic before a World Cup play-off against Wales in March.

However, he later received an apology following Bosnia-Herzegovina manager Sergej Barbarez’s accusation.

A return to English football could now be on the cards for Cooper ahead of next season.

The 46-year-old had spells in charge of Swansea City and Leicester City either side of guiding Forest into the Premier League.

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Forest were even urged to re-hire Cooper earlier this season by former midfielder Jack Colback.

Meanwhile, he was recently sounded out for the vacant Bristol City job.

The Robins now appear set to appoint Bournemouth assistant manager Tommy Elphick as their new boss.

A request to hold talks with Elphick has been made, with those discussions expected to come after the Premier League season concludes on Sunday.