Steve Cooper: Nottingham Forest belong in Premier League

secured promotion to the Premier League after 23 years with a 1-0 win against

in the

play-off final.

"It's relief and pride – this isn't about me, but it's changed my life, potentially anyway,"

Cooper told Sky Sports.

"My family is here, the players' families are here – this football club is about belonging to a city. It comes together on matchday. We've taken over Wembley today and are in the Premier League.

"For everyone connected to the football club, this is a day to be proud of. They deserve to be back in the Premier League where they belong.

"This football club is built on positive eras from the past and we want to build on that. We are proud of that but at the same time we need to think, 'what if?'

"Can we get the Premier League? Can we play attractive football? What if we can develop young players? And that's what we've done showing an attitude and a commitment to not get beaten. We deserve this.”

Forest was in the relegation zone in mid-September when Cooper was appointed as the new manager and since then they have 27 wins from 45 games but he says his players deserve massive credit.

"It's a glamorous world being a footballer and a manager but it's also a harsh and spiteful one,"

he continued.

"I just wanted the players to know I will be their biggest supporter and give them everything through thick and thin.

"It doesn't mean I'm soft with them or don't demand of them but everybody loves to be loved. That's what we've tried to do with the players."

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