Leicester City have dismissed manager Steve Cooper after only five months in charge, a decision that reflects growing concerns over the team’s performances and internal dynamics. Despite Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League last season, the club’s position in 16th place just two points above the relegation zone ultimately led the club’s hierarchy to part ways with the former Swansea and Nottingham Forest manager. The decision comes on the heels of a 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea, which was the final match of Cooper’s tenure.
Cooper, who had signed a three-year contract in the summer, was appointed to replace Enzo Maresca, who led the team to promotion. However, Leicester’s management, led by the Srivaddhanaprabha family, was unconvinced by his approach, particularly as player dissatisfaction with his more pragmatic style began to surface. Cooper’s philosophy, in stark contrast to the more free-flowing football favored by Maresca, did not resonate with the squad, many of whom had enjoyed success under the Italian’s attacking principles. This discord within the squad, alongside lackluster results only two wins from 12 matches was a key factor in Cooper’s departure.
Leicester’s decision to act quickly signals their urgency to avoid a potential repeat of last season, when they were relegated after a disastrous campaign, despite the club’s generally patient approach with managers. They had stuck with Brendan Rodgers throughout much of the 2022-23 season, even as results deteriorated. Rodgers was eventually replaced by Dean Smith with only eight matches remaining, but it was too late to avoid the drop. This time, the club’s owners are keen to ensure that Leicester do not find themselves in a similar perilous position as the season progresses.
While Leicester sit above the relegation zone for now, the club’s leadership felt a change was necessary to improve their fortunes. Some players had grown frustrated with Cooper’s tactics, which some believed were too cautious, especially after experiencing the excitement of Maresca’s more attacking approach in the Championship. The 2-1 loss to Chelsea, in which Leicester scored a consolation goal in the dying moments, was the tipping point. The team’s lackluster performance, paired with Cooper’s growing difficulty in winning over both the fans and the players, sealed his fate.
In the wake of Cooper’s departure, Leicester is now in search of a new manager, hoping to have a replacement in place before their crucial match against Brentford next Saturday. The club is keen on making a quick appointment, with key games against West Ham and Brighton looming in the next fortnight. There is a sense of urgency surrounding the search, as Leicester look to avoid getting dragged into the relegation battle.
Leicester’s managerial search will likely focus on experienced candidates who can quickly turn the team’s fortunes around. Before hiring Cooper, the club had held advanced talks with several potential replacements, including former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter, who had been a top target when the club sacked Rodgers earlier in the year. Other names considered included Carlos Corberán, the West Brom head coach, and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had expressed interest in a Premier League managerial role after his departure from PSV Eindhoven. With Cooper’s departure now official, Leicester is likely to intensify efforts to secure a new manager before the weekend.
As for the immediate future, Andrew Hughes, who joined Leicester as a set-piece coach from Norwich in the summer, will be part of the interim coaching staff. While the club searches for a permanent replacement, Hughes will oversee training and team preparations ahead of Leicester’s upcoming matches.
Cooper’s brief tenure at Leicester was marred by a combination of underwhelming performances, internal friction, and dissatisfaction among key players. Despite his success at Nottingham Forest, where he guided the club back to the Premier League, his style failed to win over the Leicester squad. The club’s hopes of an instant return to the top flight after relegation now rest on finding a new manager who can provide the right blend of tactics and leadership to lift Leicester from their precarious league position.
