Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, following a challenging start to the Premier League season where the club currently sits in 16th place after 12 matches.
The recent match against Chelsea, which resulted in a 2-1 defeat, highlighted Leicester City’s struggles, leaving them just two points above the relegation zone.
Cooper took the helm in the summer after Chelsea’s current coach, Enzo Maresca’s successful reign, in which he led Leicester to the 2023-2024 Championship title and secured their promotion back to the Premier League.
In light of Cooper’s dismissal, Leicester have announced that first-team coach Ben Dawson will oversee training, supported by coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, as the club embarks on the search for a new manager, aiming to end the process promptly.
In addition, assistant manager Alan Tate and first-team coach and analyst Steve Rands will also be leaving the club.
The recent defeat against Chelsea marked Leicester’s sixth loss in the Premier League this season. Following the match, Cooper expressed the challenges of playing in the elite division as a newly promoted side.
He said, “I knew how tough the challenge of the season was going to be both on and off the pitch. I believe we can do better, and that has to reflect in our performances to secure better results.”
Cooper is the second manager to lose his job in the Premier League this season, following Manchester United’s decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag in October.
Previously, Cooper had a notable tenure at Nottingham Forest, guiding them to promotion in 2022 and maintaining their Premier League status until his departure midway through the 2023-2024 season while the club was in 17th position.
The 44-year-old also has a successful background with England’s Under-17s, leading them to victory in the 2017 World Cup, and enjoyed a productive spell with Swansea, reaching the Championship play-off final in 2021.
