Who are the top three candidates that could replace Steve Cooper at Leicester City?

Who are the top three candidates that could replace Steve Cooper at Leicester City?

Leicester City released a club statement yesterday announcing that the Foxes would part ways with manager Steve Cooper and his coaching team immediately. This came after a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea last weekend which left the newly promoted side in 16th on 10 points, and a single point above the relegation zone. Yet still the sacking comes to many fans' surprise as the former Forest coach had managed just 12 Premier League games since his appointment, and had the club outside of the relegation zone, something the fellow two promoted teams could not boast.

We have parted company with Steve Cooper, who leaves his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.

— Leicester City (@LCFC) November 24, 2024

With the club now beginning the process of finding a new head coach, many names have been mentioned in speculation to take over. But who looks the most realistic and likely?

1 - Graham Potter

The top name right now looks like the former Brighton and Hove Albion coach, known for his time on the south coast and in Sweden, Potter is a coach that thrives at clubs that do not have huge pressure to win. His time at Chelsea should not be taken as a true representation of how Potter truly works, and this Leicester job could be the perfect chance for him to put his name back amongst the best.

Arguably one of the better English managers right now and with many years of his managerial career left, Potter can deliver a flexible and progressive approach that could potentially lead Leicester to a comfortable mid table finish.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Graham Potter’s Meteoric Rise

2007-🇬🇭Black Queens Technical Director
2011-Swedish 4th division side Östersund
2015-Promoted to Swedish top division
2017-Qualifies for Europa League
2018-Joins Swansea
2019-Joins Brighton & Hove Albion
2022-Joins Chelsea#ChampionsLeague|#UCL pic.twitter.com/5FdAVQ21hA

— FIFA World Cup Stats (@alimo_philip) September 8, 2022

2 - David Moyes

The safe and experienced choice would be one of the best ways to phrase David Moyes being appointed as Leicester’s manager. With clear evidence of steering Everton and West Ham away from relegation and onto bigger and better things, the same could be replicated with a new challenge in the East Midlands. Whilst his reputation was restored in East London his time at Manchester United, Real Sociedad and Sunderland cannot be forgotten either.

Another suggestion with Moyes could be implementing a similar contract to what was given to the Scotsman in his first spell at West Ham, a simple short term job until the end of the season which consists of simply keeping the club up. But Leicester seem more ambitious than that, and rightfully so as there is an overwhelming feeling at the club of wanting to return to the heights delivered in the last decade.

• Avoided relegation at the start of both spells
• Highest Premier League points tally
• Three consecutive European campaigns
• First European trophy since 1965
• Highest win % of any West Ham manager (50+ Games)

David Moyes, one of West Ham's greatest managers. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⚒️ pic.twitter.com/T74hJVde2j

— Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) May 19, 2024

3 - Ruud van Nistelrooy

After his short successful stint as Manchester United interim, RVN has now put himself in the spotlight to get his second full time managerial role with clubs from the Championship and Germany rumoured to be interested, it is now Leicester’s turn. Van Nistelrooy couldn’t have made a better impression at the King Power after beating the Foxes 5-2 as Man United manager less than a month ago, but equally RVN would be the biggest risk on the list, as there is not huge amounts of evidence that he will be able to deliver.

Now without a club after leaving Manchester the Dutchman would be a refreshing restart at Leicester. It’s clear that the club are not trying to step on any toes, with the top three targets all currently unemployed. Other names that have been mentioned come from the Championship in West Brom’s Carlos Corberan and the recently sacked former Coventry boss, Mark Robins. Although neither have experience in the Premier League, arguably a vital feature LCFC are looking for.

4 games.
3 wins.
11 goals scored.
3 goals conceded.
2 clean sheets.
UNDEFEATED.

Stepped in and made himself and all of us proud.

Thank you, Ruud van Nistelrooy. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hCpO1ed48s

— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) November 10, 2024