Leicester City Dismiss Manager Steve Cooper After 12 League Matches

Leicester City has terminated the contract of manager Steve Cooper. This decision comes after the club’s performance placed them 16th in the Premier League standings following 12 matches. Cooper had previously held managerial roles at Swansea and Nottingham Forest. On Saturday, the Foxes suffered a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea, a team led by their former manager Enzo Maresca. This loss positioned Leicester City just two points clear of the relegation zone. Cooper assumed the managerial position in the summer, succeeding Enzo Maresca, who had guided Leicester to the 2023-24 Championship title and secured their promotion back to the Premier League. A statement released by Leicester confirmed that “Men’s first team training will be overseen by first team coach Ben Dawson, supported by coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, as the club begins the process of appointing a new manager, which we hope to conclude as soon as possible.” Additionally, assistant manager Alan Tate and first-team coach and analyst Steve Rands have departed from the club. Leicester’s upcoming fixture is an away match against Brentford, scheduled for Saturday, 30 November. The loss to Chelsea marked Leicester’s sixth defeat in the current top-flight season. Following the match, Cooper expressed criticism regarding referee Andrew Madley’s performance. In an interview with BBC Sport, Cooper stated: “I knew how tough the challenge of the season was going to be both on and off the pitch and it’s proving to be that but that’s just how it is coming back into the league. I believe we can do better so that’s got to come in the performances to get the results.” Cooper’s dismissal makes him the second manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season, following Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag in October. Former Leicester goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer commented that he was “a little bit surprised” by Cooper’s exit. Schwarzer, an Australian, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Leicester is not known for being a club that will sack managers quickly. They are not known to panic. At times some would say that perhaps they have held on too long to some managers. You did hear after the last few games that Cooper was pointing his finger a lot at the officials for decisions that had gone against Leicester and perhaps cost them.” Chris Sutton, a former Premier League striker, stated that he “cannot believe” Cooper has been sacked. He further remarked: “I think they have had a reasonable start to the season, they are not in the relegation zone. The three promoted sides last season went straight back down. I think that decision is really harsh.” Cooper’s appointment at Leicester followed his tenure at Nottingham Forest, where he was dismissed in December 2023. The 44-year-old manager successfully led Forest to promotion to the top flight in 2022. After ensuring their survival in the division the subsequent season, he was let go midway through the 2023-24 campaign, at which point the club occupied 17th place. Cooper, known for guiding England’s Under-17s to a World Cup victory in 2017, also spent two years managing Swansea, leading them to the Championship play-off final in 2021, where they were defeated by Brentford. Schwarzer indicated that former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter is the “name that jumps” out to him as a potential successor for Cooper. Potter, who reportedly engaged in discussions with the Foxes prior to Cooper’s selection, has been unemployed since his dismissal by Chelsea in April 2023, after less than seven months at the helm of the Stamford Bridge club. Schwarzer remarked: “Would he be interested in taking on a team and club like Leicester? Why not? I think he would do a fantastic job.” David Moyes, formerly manager of West Ham, and Ruud van Nistelrooy are also considered potential contenders for the role. Moyes departed West Ham at the conclusion of the previous season. Van Nistelrooy, who served as interim manager for Manchester United after Ten Hag’s departure, recently left the Old Trafford club following the appointment of Ruben Amorim. The statement continued: “We saw the job he [Van Nistelrooy] did at Manchester United, taking over at one of their lowest points of the season when they had just lost their manager. Van Nistelrooy took over and steadied the ship. Three wins and one draw during his time in charge.” “David Moyes has had a phenomenal career and has been underrated and underappreciated at times. Would he fit in at Leicester? Only they would know. But, for me, the first name that you would look at is Graham Potter. The style they have been playing in recent seasons will suit him and he would have every opportunity to build a very good team there.” A question has been raised regarding whether Leicester fans desire a manager who is a “firefighter” or a “visionary.” Upon their return to the Premier League, Leicester demonstrated an ability to score, netting at least one goal in each of their initial 10 league fixtures. However, this attacking prowess only translated into two victories, as defensive issues undermined their offensive output. Leicester has conceded 23 goals, ranking as the third highest in the league, behind Wolverhampton Wanderers (28) and Southampton (24). Furthermore, they have conceded the opening goal in 10 out of their 12 Premier League matches this season, which is the highest tally in the league. The team has also permitted the second highest number of opposition shots in the league. Despite their initial scoring streak, they have registered the second fewest shots in the top flight, with only Ipswich recording fewer. The question arises as to who would be willing to join a relegation-threatened Leicester City in January. Leicester fans were asked for their reactions to Cooper’s sacking, and their responses included the following: Roobs07 stated: “Wasn’t up to the task and team selections were based on defensiveness without defenders of the calibre to do so. Interim manager outlook and could not get the best out of any players. Attacking players left out of selection or played late second half. Never a positive outlook.” Stephen commented: “Cooper might feel hard done by as I’m not sure our squad has the quality to be too much higher but he was failing to inspire the fans and players alike [from what we could tell].” Danny remarked: “Strange decision but probably not the right appointment to begin with after becoming a Nottingham Forest legend. His CV speaks for itself. Sad he wasn’t given time to prove himself again.” Barry opined: “I think Cooper has been a scapegoat for the owner and shoddy recruitment. Cooper had a mountain to climb. Maresca would have failed in the same manner.” Nigel stated: “It was a bad error in appointing him in the first place. The fans were always going to struggle accepting a former Forest manager. This was an accident waiting to happen.” Tony suggested: “I see we are still trotting out the same old names like Graham Potter and David Moyes. While they could probably do a decent job we need to take a chance on somebody who can excite the fans and the team. Look what Maresca did last season. Now let’s give Ruud Van Nistelrooy a chance.”