Leicester City have confirmed the appointment of Steve Cooper as the club’s new manager.
Cooper has been handed a three-year deal by the Foxes, which runs until the summer of 2026.
Steve Cooper returns to management with Leicester City, having been out of work since departing Nottingham Forest in December 2023.
Leicester City Confirm Appointment Of Steve Cooper As Manager
Confirming the appointment of the Welshman, the Foxes put out a statement on their website which reads:
“Steve, 44, has agreed a three-year contract and arrives at King Power Stadium as the Club continues its preparations for our top-flight return, following promotion from the Sky Bet Championship last season.”
The King Power side have been searching for a new boss since Enzo Maresca left for Chelsea at the start of June 2024.
Maresca became manager of Leicester City on July 1, 2023, having relinquished his assistant role at Manchester City to take up the big job.
Enzo Maresca’s tenure as manager of the East Midlands side officially comes to an end on June 30, 2024, and it necessitated the need for the Foxes to appoint a new gaffer.
Maresca tactically masterminded Leicester City to win the Championship, helping the English side secure promotion to the top-flight, after their relegation in the 2022/23 campaign.
Steve Cooper Statement After Being Appointed Manager Of The Foxes
Speaking after being confirmed as manager of the 2015 Premier League champions, Steve Cooper said: “I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City’s first-team manager.
“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.”
The Foxes were disheartened that Enzo Maresca opted to exit the club following their successes in the Championship, however, they knew they didn’t have the muscle to battle Chelsea.
Reports indicate that Leicester City considered several names as successor to Maresca, including West Brom boss including West Brom manager Carlos Corberan and Roberto De Zerbi, who is on the verge of joining Olympique Marseille.
Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also reported to have been contacted.
Steve Cooper’s Project At Leicester City
Cooper will be hoping to stabilize Leicester City in the Premier League upon their return to the top flight, having kept Nottingham Forest in the top division by finishing 16th after their promotion in 2022.
Steve Cooper apparently was a fan favorite at the City Ground, however, he was dismissed by the Tricky Trees midway through the 2023/24 campaign, with the Foxes occupying the 17th spot on the log at the time.
The 44-year-old led England’s Under-17s to clinch the 2017 World Cup and was also previously manager of Swansea City for 2 years, taking them to the Championship play-off final in 2021 where they were defeated by Brentford.
Steve Cooper has also in the past been assistant manager of English giants Liverpool whilst also handling their Under 18 and youth setup.
Meanwhile, Cooper’s first big test as Leicester City manager will come on August 19, 2024, when the Foxes welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the King Power Stadium in their opening game of the 2024/24 Premier League season.
