Leicester appoint former Forest boss Cooper as manager

Leicester City have appointed former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper as their new manager on a three-year contract.

Cooper replaces Enzo Maresca, who left to join Chelsea earlier this summer, at the King Power Stadium after the club carried out a thorough process of due diligence and spoke to several candidates including Graham Potter.

Cooper had been out of work since being sacked by Nottingham Forest – Leicester’s East Midlands rivals – last December, as the club languished in 17th place in the Premier League after a run of just one win in 13 games.

Before that, the 44-year-old guided Forest back into the top flight for the first time in 23 years and then kept them there.

Speaking to Leicester’s official website, Cooper said: “I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City’s first-team manager.

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“This is a fantastic club with a rich history and passionate supporters. I am excited to work with such a talented squad and I’m looking forward to the challenge of achieving our shared ambitions in the Premier League.”

Leicester’s opening six Premier League fixtures

Aug 19: Tottenham (h) – live on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football – kick-off 8pm
Aug 24: Fulham (a)
Aug 31: Aston Villa (h)
Sept 14: Crystal Palace (a)
Sept 21: Everton (h)
Sept 28: Arsenal (a)

The Leicester job will not be without its challenges for Cooper, with the Foxes facing a possible points deduction and potentially needing to sell players to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to Leicester City. His vision for the team, including his ability to develop players and implement a dynamic style of play, is very much aligned with our aspirations for the club.

“As a leader, he has the ability to build on the strong relationship that has been forged between our fans and our team, strengthening a bond that will be vital to us re-establishing the club in the Premier League.”

Cooper has also previously been in charge of the England U16 and U17 international sides, winning the World Cup with the latter in 2017, before managing Championship side Swansea City from 2019-2021.

Leicester fixtures: Foxes start against Spurs on MNF

Leicester will start their 2024/25 Premier League season with a Monday Night Football game at home against Tottenham, live on Sky Sports on August 19.

The newly-promoted Foxes then travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in their second game before returning to the King Power Stadium to take on Aston Villa on August 31.

Their first East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest where Cooper could face his former club comes at home on October 26, with the return game taking place at the City Ground on May 10. Their former manager Maresca is due to return to the King Power Stadium with Chelsea on November 23.

They face a tough schedule over Christmas and New Year, including a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Boxing Day and a home game against Manchester City on December 29.

After facing rivals Forest in their third-last game on May 10, they round off the campaign with a home fixture against fellow promoted club Ipswich Town on May 18 and an away game against Bournemouth on May 25.