FORMER Nottingham Forest defender Colin Cooper is set to follow in the footsteps of a Reds legend, by becoming Hartlepool manager.
Like Brian Clough before him, Cooper has been appointed to revive the fortunes of the north-east club, who have just been relegated into League Two.
Clough managed Hartlepools, as they then were known, between 1965 and 1967, before moving on to Derby, Leeds and Nottingham Forest.
Cooper, 46, who had been academy coach at Middlesbrough, has had experience of being caretaker boss at both Boro and Bradford.
But this is his first job as a permanent manager in his own right. Cooper replaces John Hughes, who was sacked after the club's relegation from League One had been confirmed.
He will be assisted by former Middlesbrough team-mate Craig Hignett.
Cooper made more than 200 appearances for Forest between 1993 and 1998, but missed out on playing under the legendary manager at the City Ground, signing shortly after Clough had retired.
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