Steve Cooper has declared his determination to take Brøndby back to the top of Danish football after being appointed their head coach. The 45-year-old Welshman returns to management for the first time since leaving Leicester last November.
Cooper had previously been a World Cup winner with England Under-17s and had spells at Swansea and Nottingham Forest, whom he guided into the Premier League in May 2022. He has a contract to 2028.
“I want exactly what you want: a team that wins trophies and gets back to the top of Danish football,” Cooper said in an open letter to Brøndby fans on the club website. “I admire the values that the club holds. Its roots in its local community. The dedication of the supporters who follow it.
“I am ambitious to win and to see what this club can do when it is at its very best. The ownership of Brøndby feel the same way and their vision for the club is a major part of why I am here. I embrace the challenge and I know the players will, too. I believe that with us all together – players, staff and fans – we will be a formidable force.”
Cooper will begin as soon as his work permit is processed and Brøndby expect him to be in charge for the city derby against FC Copenhagen on Saturday.
Cooper twice led Swansea into the Championship playoffs during his first role in club management between 2019 and 2021. After ending Forest’s 23-year wait for top-flight football, Cooper kept them in the Premier League the following season. He was sacked by the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, in December 2023 and replaced by Nuno Espírito Santo before spending five months at Leicester.
Brøndby’s director of football, Benjamin Schmedes, told the club’s website: “Steve is that rare combination of youth and experience, vision and personality. He is a man who can embrace a club like ours and lift both the individual player and the entire club to a new level.”
Brøndby, who finished third last season, are fourth in the Danish Superliga, four points behind the leaders, Copenhagen, after seven games.