Steve Cooper Front-runner for Leicester Manager Role

Steve Cooper has emerged as the frontrunner for Leicester’s new manager position. Nottingham Forest sacked him in December, leaving the 44-year-old unemployed but he has since held further discussions with their East Midlands rivals. Leicester has also considered former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter and West Brom boss Carlos Corberan.

Earlier this week, Potter seemed to lead in the evolving situation, but now Steve Cooper is seen as the prime candidate. Last April, Leicester attempted to recruit Potter to the King Power Stadium but he declined after his Chelsea dismissal. Following their Championship victory last season, the Foxes will face Tottenham in their opening match of the upcoming Premier League season.

Leicester has been searching for a new manager since Enzo Maresca moved to Chelsea earlier this month. Maresca’s departure disappointed the club after he guided them to an immediate return to the Premier League. Maresca had expressed dissatisfaction with unspecified issues during the campaign, which the club resolved after end-of-season discussions.

However, his departure earned the club approximately £10m in compensation, aiding their compliance with financial regulations. Leicester could start the season with a points deduction due to breaching financial rules. The club violated profit and sustainability rules in March, possibly needing player sales if not compliant by June 30. Cooper led England Under-17s to a World Cup victory in 2017 and spent two years at Swansea, reaching the 2021 play-off final where they lost to Brentford.

He led Forest to win the Championship play-offs, ending their 23-year absence after taking over in September 2021. However, he left Forest in December 2023 with the club sitting 17th in the Premier League after they finished 16th in the 2022-23 season.