Former Nottingham Forest, Leicester, and Swansea manager Steve Cooper has been appointed as the new head coach of Danish Superliga club Brondby. The 45-year-old Welshman has signed a three-year contract, taking over from Frederik Birk, who was dismissed after four games with the club positioned fourth in the league.

Cooper's first match in charge will be a highly anticipated home derby against league leaders FC Copenhagen at Brondby Stadium this Saturday. This encounter is not just a test of his tactical acumen but also a chance to make an immediate impact in front of the home crowd.

Brondby's director of football, Benjamin Schmedes, expressed confidence in Cooper's ability to transform the club. "Steve possesses a rare combination of youth and experience, vision and personality," Schmedes stated. "We believe he can lift both the individual player and the entire club to a new level."

Schmedes emphasized the club's ambitious goals, stating, "We want to accelerate our development to achieve our sporting ambitions and instill a winning culture within Brondby Stadium. This requires a mentality, leadership, and a pair of broad shoulders that we have no doubt Steve possesses."

Cooper's last managerial role was at Leicester, where he was sacked in November 2024 after just 12 Premier League matches. However, his tenure at Nottingham Forest between 2021 and 2023 was marked by success, as he led the club to promotion to the Premier League for the first time in two decades in 2022.

Opportunity for Growth and Development

Cooper's decision to join Brondby is seen as a strategic move to further develop his coaching career. After receiving numerous offers, including several from the Championship, Cooper chose Brondby for the unique challenges and opportunities it presents.

Brondby, who were Danish champions four years ago and finished second two years ago, are currently four points behind league leaders Copenhagen after seven games. Cooper's primary objectives are to compete for silverware and secure European qualification.

A New Chapter for British Coaches

Cooper's move to Denmark is also seen as a pathway for other British coaches with first-team experience to explore opportunities abroad. By working in a different football culture, Cooper aims to broaden his horizons and demonstrate the potential for British coaches to succeed internationally.

With the club's ownership fully supportive of his vision, Cooper is poised to make a significant impact at Brondby, both on and off the pitch.