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Leicester City have ended Steve Cooper’s reign as head coach after 157 days in a callous decision by owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.
Cooper has become the second Premier League casualty of the season, with Leicester’s board acting quickly amid concerns that recent performances suggest no signs of improvement.
The 44-year-old was said to have been stunned by his dismissal, which was relayed to him by director of football Jon Rudkin on Sunday afternoon.
His departure was announced despite Leicester not being in the relegation zone. In his discussions with the club before accepting the job, Srivaddhanaprabha told Cooper that survival was the only goal for the season.
The club was then threatened with a heavy points deduction for non-compliance with profitability and sustainability rules. [PSR] which they ultimately sawed off, citing a technicality in the process.
However, Srivaddhanaprabha felt compelled to make the decision now and prevent last season’s league title winners from potentially sliding into a second relegation in three seasons.
The precedent of Brendan Rodgers
Leicester have been heavily criticized by supporters for not sacking Brendan Rodgers earlier in their 2022-23 relegation season.
Leicester players traveled to Copenhagen following the defeat to Chelsea, for a pre-arranged “Christmas party” – an excursion previously authorized by Cooper. Images of players including Harry Winks and Conor Coady were published by Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet, showing them partying at Museo nightclub next to a sign reading ‘I miss you Enzo’.
With the team not expected back in training until Tuesday, the club are hoping to reschedule later this week ahead of four matches in a fortnight starting with the trip to Brentford.
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter, David Moyes and Ruud van Nistelrooy will emerge as realistic suitors.
Potter held discussions with Leicester before Cooper’s appointment, but the negotiations broke down due to a number of factors, including uncertainty at the time over a possible points deduction.
Despite being aware of the skepticism of many Leicester fans following his past association with Nottingham Forest, Cooper was planning for the future.
During the international break, he attended a recruitment meeting where plans were presented for the January transfer window.
Yet Saturday’s home defeat to Chelsea – handled by former head coach Enzo Maresca – was Leicester’s sixth of the season and leaves them two points above the bottom three.
Cooper intended to evolve Leicester’s style of play from Maresca’s ultra-dominant approach, but supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as a team with no discernible identity.
Cooper’s short tenure included a number of clashes with players including Jannik Vestergaard – who was at one point banned from training – Harry Winks and Hamza Choudhury.
Denmark international Vestergaard also fell out with Rodgers and was reportedly involved in a training ground confrontation with Cooper early in his reign.
A brutal decision will polarize opinion
Leicester’s abrupt decision will certainly polarize opinion outside the city, with the club only returning to the Premier League this season and in a period of transition.
Cooper was appointed in June on a three-year deal, but leaves the King Power Stadium after just 12 league games in charge.
Before the campaign began, many pre-season indicators all pointed to them being a bottom-three club. Internally, Leicester have openly admitted that survival this season is the only goal.
With the club reporting losses of almost £200million over the last two financial accounts, funds have been tight although they have still signed seven new players.
In September, it was announced that Leicester had won their legal dispute with the Premier League and are now expected to avoid any sanctions.
The pre-season was not straightforward and rushed, which ensured a difficult start.
Maresca had asked the club to abandon a lucrative tour of the United States. Leicester therefore had to act quickly to develop a program.
A friendly match in Germany against Rot-Weiss Weiler was abandoned due to poor weather conditions. The hotel did not have adequate air conditioning or WiFi.
Cooper had wins over Bournemouth and Southampton, but the defeat to Chelsea was their fifth game without a win.
Leicester’s statement read: “Leicester City Football Club has parted ways with Steve Cooper, who is leaving his role as first team manager with immediate effect.
“Assistant manager Alan Tate and first team coach and analyst Steve Rands have also left the club. Steve, Alan and Steve leave with our thanks for their contribution during their time at 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, whom We hope to conclude as soon as possible.”
