The 39-year-old had been slowly but methodically learning his trade in youth coaching with Wrexham and Liverpool before joining the FA in 2013.
He managed the England U16s and U17s, leading the latter to World Cup glory in 2017.
However, the Swansea job represented his first taste of Football League management and the proud Welshman, son of former referee Keith Cooper, issued a statement of intent in his very first press conference, with a vow to target a return to the Premier League.
Following the sudden departure of Graham Potter, the former Bangor City defender faced a battle to steady the ship at the Liberty Stadium and build on the foundations laid by the current Brighton boss.
Known for favouring a pressing brand of attacking football, Cooper was always going to bring a new identity to the Swans and it’s bearing fruit.
Wednesday’s hard fought 2-1 win at high-flying Charlton saw the Welsh side return to the Championship summit and in doing so maintain their impressive unbeaten run away from home in the league.
At times during the game at The Valley, Swansea’s attacking players Bersant Celina, Yan Dhanda, André Ayew and Borja Bastón looked almost unplayable as they carved their way through a backline who just days before kept Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds side at bay.
Delighted
Denne historien er fra October 06, 2019-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 06, 2019-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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NUNEZ SPARKS ROUT OF IN-FORM TIGERS
NORWICH City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup was delighted with his side’s performance as they made it four wins in six games to maintain their climb up the table after a slow start.
SHAUN RUES SOFT LATICS' BORE DRAW
WIGAN manager Shaun Maloney had mixed emotions after his side drew at Stockport to make it six games unbeaten.
Bielik's words are own goal for Blues
IN MY early days at Brighton, we won back-to-back promotions and were practically unstoppable.
CLAIMS OF RACISM TO ASSISTANT MAR DRAW
PORTSMOUTH boss John Mousinho apologised to assistant referee Bhupinder Singh Gill for alleged discriminatory comments made from the stands during the draw with Oxford United.
WILDER'S PUSH FOR BIRTHDAY BOY RAK-SAKYI IS PAYING OFF
Hatters in slump as loan star hits brace
ARGYLE STUN ROVERS AFTER WAYNE SEES RED
PLYMOUTH assistant head coach Pete Shuttleworth praised Argyle’s never say-die attitude as the greens secured a last-minute win over high-flying Blackburn.
Former teen star is now real deal
FAMOUSLY, Karamoko Dembele was just 13 when he made his debut for Celtic’s under-20 side in 2016.
DERBY DATE SO VITAL FOR OMER
Interim boss has chance to boost bid
LINDSEY LINK-UP LIFTS LAURENCE!
LAURENCE Maguire has been reunited with Scott Lindsey at MK Dons - and believes his old boss is the right man to propel them into the League Two promotion shake-up.
I WANT TO ADD MORE ELLIOT
NEW Crawley Town boss Rob Elliot has promised evolution not revolution after stepping into the huge shoes vacated by Scott Lindsey.