Leicester City have dismissed manager Steve Cooper following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Saturday, leaving the team in 16th place in the Premier League after 12 matches. The defeat left the Foxes just two points above the relegation zone.
Cooper, who took over in the summer after Enzo Maresca's departure, guided Leicester to the 2023-24 Championship title and promotion back to the Premier League. However, despite Leicester's attacking potential, their defensive struggles led to disappointing results, with only two wins from 12 matches.
The club has appointed Ben Dawson as interim manager, with support from coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, while they search for a new permanent manager. Assistant manager Alan Tate and first-team coach Steve Rands have also left the club.
After the defeat, Cooper criticized the performance of referee Andrew Madley, noting that the season's challenges were both on and off the pitch. He said, “I knew how tough the challenge of the season was going to be both on and off the pitch and it's proving to be that but that's just how it is coming back into the league. I believe we can do better so that's got to come in the performances to get the results.”
Leicester's defense has been a major issue, as they have conceded 23 goals so far, the third-highest in the league. The team has allowed the opening goal in 10 of their 12 Premier League matches, which is also a league-high. The Foxes will now look for a new manager to address these defensive struggles and lead them forward.
Cooper is the second manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season after Manchester United parted ways with Erik ten Hag in October.
Among potential candidates for the managerial vacancy, former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter is seen as a likely contender. Other names mentioned include former West Ham manager David Moyes and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who recently left his interim role at Manchester United.
Leicester's next match is away at Brentford on Saturday, 30 November.
