THE NATION
Leicester City have sacked manager Steve Cooper with the club 16th in the Premier League after 12 games.
The Foxes were beaten 2-1 by a Chelsea side managed by former boss Enzo Maresca on Saturday – a defeat which left them two points above the relegation zone.
Cooper took over from Maresca in the summer after the Italian had led Leicester to the 2023-24 Championship title and promotion back into the Premier League.
“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,” said a Leicester statement.
Assistant manager Alan Tate and first-team coach and analyst Steve Rands have also left the club, whose next game is away at Brentford on Saturday, 30 November.
The defeat by Chelsea was Leicester’s sixth in the top flight this season and, afterwards, Cooper was critical of referee Andrew Madley’s performance in the game.
Speaking to BBC Sport, he also 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.”
He is the second manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season following Manchester United parting company with Erik ten Hag in October.
Former Leicester keeper Mark Schwarzer said he was “a little bit surprised” by Cooper’s departure.
“Leicester is not known for being a club that will sack managers quickly,” the Australian told BBC Radio 5 Live. “They are not known to panic.
“At times some would say that perhaps they have held on too long to some managers.
“You did hear after the last few games that Cooper was pointing his finger a lot at the officials for decisions that had gone against Leicester and perhaps cost them.”
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton said that he “cannot believe” Cooper has been sacked.
He added: “I think they have had a reasonable start to the season, they are not in the relegation zone.
“The three promoted sides last season…
