Former Leicester City Winger Matt Piper Discusses Managerial Search, Expresses Preference for Graham Potter

Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper stated that it would represent “a level of incompetence” if the club “have sacked Steve Cooper without a replacement already lined up.” Following Cooper’s dismissal on Sunday, Leicester City is now seeking a new manager. Among the early contenders are David Moyes, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Graham Potter, the last of whom was previously associated with the position during the summer. Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling podcast, Piper remarked on the consequences of a prolonged vacancy, stating, “We know what happens when it goes a couple of games without someone coming in.” He added, “I am pretty positive that someone will have already been spoken to and accepted the terms of conditions.” Piper expressed enthusiasm for all three potential candidates, albeit for distinct reasons. He identified David Moyes as a strong short-term option for the objective of reaching the season’s end and maintaining the club’s Premier League status, but indicated he would not favor him for a long-term role. Regarding Ruud van Nistelrooy, Piper praised his accomplishments at PSV and during his “cameo stint at Manchester United,” noting that van Nistelrooy favors “exciting, front-footed football,” a style he believes the team has lacked recently. Piper speculated that Graham Potter might have accepted the managerial role in the summer, suggesting that the points deduction was a deterrent. He believed Potter “would have looked at the squad and thought he could have worked with it.” Despite acknowledging Potter’s “bit of a disastrous time at Chelsea,” Piper described him as “a good young manager” who would also implement “exciting front-footed football.” Piper concluded by stating his personal preference: “Potter is someone I would like to see at Leicester – if we can get him.”