Leicester City has announced the dismissal of manager Steve Cooper, with the club struggling in the Premier League, currently 16th after 12 matches. The decision came after a narrow 2-1 loss to Chelsea, led by former Leicester manager Enzo Maresca, on Saturday. This recent defeat left Leicester just two points away from the relegation zone, sparking concerns about the club's future in the top flight. Cooper's brief tenure at Leicester began in the summer when he took over from Maresca, who had led the team to a Championship title victory and secured their promotion to the Premier League for the 2023-24 season. However, the transition under Cooper did not go as planned, as the team struggled to find form and deliver consistent performances, forcing the club's leadership to make a change to ensure their survival in the league.
In the interim, the club's first-team coach, Ben Dawson, will take charge of training, aided by coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, as Leicester starts its search for a new manager. The club expressed its intention to finalize the appointment process quickly, aiming to stabilize the team amid concerns over their current league position. Cooper's exit marks another managerial setback for him, as he was previously dismissed by Nottingham Forest midway through the 2023-24 season. His time at Forest had started on a high note; he guided the team to a historic promotion to the Premier League in 2022 and managed to keep them in the top tier during the 2022-23 season. Despite his initial success, Cooper's tenure at Forest ended when the club found itself struggling in 17th place the following season, leading to his departure in December 2023.
Steve Cooper's career has been marked by both achievements and challenges. Before joining Leicester, he had built a reputation as a capable coach, having led England’s Under-17 national team to a World Cup victory in 2017, showcasing his skill in nurturing young talent. He also enjoyed a two-year spell as the manager of Swansea City, where he nearly secured Premier League promotion by taking them to the 2021 Championship play-off final, only to lose to Brentford. However, his stint at Leicester, although brief, did not achieve the desired outcomes, leading the club to make a decisive managerial change in hopes of avoiding a potential relegation battle. With the appointment of a new manager on the horizon, Leicester City is keen to bring in a fresh perspective to guide the team back on track and maintain their place in England’s top division. The club’s leadership remains focused on ensuring stability and revitalizing the squad's confidence as they look to move up the league table in the coming months.
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