Leicester City Part Ways with Steve Cooper Following Four-Game Winless Streak

Steve Cooper has become the second managerial casualty of the 2024/25 Premier League season, with Leicester City pulling the plug on his tenure yesterday. The Foxes made the tough call following Saturday’s disheartening home defeat to Chelsea, marking their third loss in four matches. The 44-year-old manager saw his stint at the King Power Stadium cut short after only five months in charge.

Former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper took the reins at Leicester City this summer, signing a three-year deal. However, a sluggish start to the season left the club’s hierarchy with little choice but to part ways with the Welshman. Cooper’s fate was sealed after a 2-1 loss to Chelsea—ironically managed by former Leicester boss Enzo Maresca—which saw the Foxes slip to 16th place, hovering just two points above the relegation zone. Leicester's struggles have been glaring, with only two wins from their opening 12 league matches and a leaky defense that has conceded 14 goals in their last five outings across all competitions. Cooper's tenure lasted just 15 games, yielding a meager three wins and a disappointing 20%-win rate. Cooper’s dismissal makes him the second Premier League manager to lose his job this season, following Erik ten Hag’s departure from Manchester United in late October. 

In an official statement, Leicester City stated that, “Assistant Manager Alan Tate and First Team Coach and Analyst Steve Rands have also left the Club. Steve, Alan and Steve depart with our thanks for their contribution during their time with the Club and with our best wishes for the future. 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.”  

The appointment of the new manager will be spearheaded by owner-chair Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha and director of football Jon Rudkin. Former Brighton manager Graham Potter and Manchester United legend Ruud Van Nistelrooy are the two frontrunners for the vacant Leicester City managerial job. Graham Potter made a name for himself during his time at Brighton, transforming the Seagulls into a solid mid-table Premier League side known for their entertaining, attacking football. However, his ill-fated stint with Chelsea, which ended in disappointment, has left his reputation somewhat tarnished.

On the other hand, Ruud van Nistelrooy is still a fresh face in the managerial world. Yet, in just four games as Manchester United’s interim boss, the Dutchman made an immediate impact, securing three wins—including two against Leicester—and a draw, showcasing his potential as a promising manager in the making. With the Foxes teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, the club’s decision-makers face a crucial moment. Choosing the next manager isn’t just about salvaging the 2024/25 season—it’s about shaping the very future of Leicester City as a Premier League club. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and they need to get this one absolutely right.