COTTERIILL IS ON THE MEND AFTER
FORMER Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cotterill is out of intensive care after being taken seriously ill with coronavirus.
Cotterill, now in charge of Shrewsbury Town, was taken to hospital in Bristol last week following an outbreak of Covid-19 at the League One club.
The 56-year-old managed Forest from 2011 to 2012 and memorably led their neighbours Notts County to the League Two title in 2010.
But condition has improved and he is now out of ICU.
Shrews assistant boss Aaron Wilbraham admitted there had been a great deal of concern over Cotterill’s struggle with the illness and is now glad he is on the mend.
“It was scary news and it did affect me,” he said.
“It’s been a crazy time and it was quite worrying. But Sunday and Monday has been non-stop improvement.
“He’s on the mend, so it’s definitely good signs, it’s a relief to everyone.
“I’ve spoken to him in the last couple of days and I can tell he’s getting better.
“His voice is getting better and he’s starting to crack a couple of jokes. He’s told me to tell the boys he’ll be watching (the Southampton game) from his hospital bed, so they’d better be at it.”
Wilbraham said Cotterill’s condition got worse while he was at home but said he had already been passing on texts about team news and tactics. “Steve’s wife was worried and she was relieved when he went to hospital, that he was in safe hands and was going to get better,” added Wilbraham.
“It just goes to show what can happen. The gaffer’s been really careful, he wouldn’t open a door without a tissue. So it’s crazy how it’s happened.
“Everyone was worried as he was struggling to speak before and I’ve never known him to take a day off.
“Even when he’s been in hospital I’ve still been getting the odd text message about team news and tactics.
“It shows what kind of guy he is. We want him to get as well as he can and I know the minute he can be back in the building, he will.”