It hasn’t taken long, but Steve Cooper is now back in football, although he’s not in the dugout this time. The former boss of Nottingham Forest and Swansea City has taken on a new role that sees him moving from the touchline and into the analyst’s seat. After a short and ill-fated stint with Leicester, Cooper has now emerged in European football as a UEFA technical observer. This is an appointment that marks the start of a brand new chapter.
The 45-year-old has been out of the game since last November when he was sacked by Leicester City just four months into his contract. His leadership saw the Foxes struggle with just two wins from 12 Premier League matches and the club hovering just above the relegation zone. While this spell was more than just a little disappointing, Cooper still has solid credentials, especially when you look at his time with Forest, whom he took to the Premier League in 2022 and subsequently kept up in the top flight.
A new role with UEFA
Cooper’s football insights are now being put to use in a whole new capacity. His new role is that of a UEFA technical observer. This sees him attending high-profile European matches and then producing detailed tactical reports. This position is when that needs a seasoned professional that has a deep understanding of the game. Others who have been in the role include the likes of Gareth Southgate, Rafael Benitez, Avram Grant, and David Moyes.
Cooper’s debut came during the Champions League match between Feyenoord and Inter Milan. His responsibilities see him analysing tactical setups, player positions, and in-game adjustments. He also gets to select the player of the match. During Copper’s first match in his first role, the player of the match became an easy choice, with Lautaro Martinez becoming Inter Milan’s all-time top scorer.
More than just match reports
While the technical observer role may seem to be rather ceremonial, there is much more to it than this. It plays a vital role in UEFA’s mission to improve the overall quality of football by creating an ecosystem where knowledge is shared. Observers are required to compile comprehensive reports after each match. In these, they need to highlight tactical trends, innovative coaching methods, and standout performances. Once completed, these reports are later shared with coaches and federations across Europe, and this provides a valuable resource for both established managers and those who are up and coming.
The position also reflects a much wider trend in modern football where the likes of analysis, data, and technical refinement are just as important as man-management and motivation. For sportsbook operators, this trend has led to them seeing the value in integrating deeper insights into betting platforms. Understanding tactics, form patterns, and coaching trends can inform more sophisticated betting markets, and this leads to an improved user experience. The likes of Odds88.io, which provides sports odds API to betting platforms, benefit greatly from this kind of insight. It means that they can align offerings with the tactical depth that is seen in UEFA’s analysis. This allows for sharper odds and a more immersive betting experience.
A stepping stone back to coaching?
It’s interesting to think that this role could well serve as a springboard for Cooper to return to coaching. There have been several high-profile names that have worked as observers and then gone on and taken on new coaching positions. One example can be seen by looking at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He previously took on an observer role and then took over the coaching role at Besiktas. This role provides Cooper with a great opportunity to stay active and learn from Europe’s elite. It will also allow him the chance to rebuild his reputation after his disastrous spell at Leicester.
Solskjaer has previously spoken about his time as an observer and explained that it was a great way to stay in touch with the most up-to-date footballing trends. David Moyes has also praised the environment that UEFA created for these roles and has said that one of the main benefits is the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded professionals.
Tactical brain, coaching future
Cooper has long been seen as a coach who has a strong grasp of youth development and tactical discipline. This makes his new role a perfect fit. His work with the England U17s, which led to a World Cup win in 2017, cemented his reputation as a forward-thinking football mind. His new role allows him to continue applying insight, but now, this is across the whole of Europe.
Some may view the role as a step back, but, in reality, this could well be a smart move. Rather than jumping straight back into a managerial role, Cooper is taking the time to expand his knowledge even further, and this will lead to him being a valuable asset to any club in the future.
