Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan feels for Steve Cooper after his dismissal.

Cooper has been sacked and replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo today.

McGugan told BBC Sport: "In management, and Steve Cooper will know this, sadly at some point it will always come to an end.

"All you hope when you go into a football club as a manager is that you leave it in a better state than you found it - and he has 100% done that.

"He will leave on the best terms possible and if you look at the fans' reactions, it goes without saying.

"If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be in this situation, back in the Premier League, that's for sure."

He also said: "It's going to be tough [for Nuno]. This is a bit of a unique situation in terms of the connection [Cooper had with fans].

"The new manager has to hit the ground running, not only in terms of results for the football club, but also to get the fans on board and get the fans onside.

"Because a lot of that fanbase will be gutted and very upset."