Cooper appointed Leicester manager

Steve Cooper won promotion with Forest in his first season with the club in 2021-22

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

Cooper, 44, has been out of work since leaving Forest in December 2023.

The Foxes have been searching for a new manager since Enzo Maresca departed for Chelsea at the start of June.

Maresca joined Leicester at the start of last season, guiding the club to first place in the Championship and an immediate return to the Premier League after their relegation in 2022-23.

"I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City’s first-team manager," said Cooper.

"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 were disappointed that Maresca opted to leave the club following their Championship title win.

The Foxes considered a number of replacements, including West Brom manager Carlos Corberan.

Cooper provides the Foxes with Premier League experience, having kept Forest in the top flight by finishing 16th following their promotion in 2022.

He was a popular figure with Forest supporters but he was sacked midway through last season, with the club 17th in the table.

The former Forest boss guided England's Under-17s to victory at the 2017 World Cup and also spent two years at Swansea, taking them to the Championship play-off final in 2021 where they lost to Brentford.

Cooper's first competitive fixture in charge will be on 19 August, when Leicester host Tottenham in the Premier League.

"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," said Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.

"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 will need to bring his extinguisher'

Analysis: Nick Mashiter, BBC Sport football news reporter

It has been a fluid situation for Leicester in their search to replace Maresca.

Graham Potter held talks and Corberan was admired, but on Wednesday, Cooper became the obvious choice.

It promises to be a challenge, with a potential points deduction looming and another second charge for breaching profit and sustainability rules possible if the club is not compliant by 30 June. It means a potential sale of players before the end of the month.

Cooper knows how to do more than just firefight following his time at Forest, but he will need to bring his extinguisher with him to the King Power Stadium.

The former Swansea City boss fostered unity at the City Ground and it is something which will be needed again in what could be a battle against relegation, especially if Leicester start the season on minus points.

Despite winning the Championship and returning to the Premier League at the first attempt, there was never a complete buy-in to Maresca's style from the Foxes fans, but Cooper will hope to create that togetherness going back into the top flight.

That could negate any minor animosity towards an ex-Nottingham Forest manager moving across the East Midlands.

Survival is the main priority next season and Cooper will need solidarity.