Leicester City

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester fans were not happy with Steve Cooper's style of play.

They went from the Enzo Maresca team that we are now seeing is changing Chelsea's style of play to be easy on the eye, to Cooper's style which is completely different.

Thinking about what the fans might want with the next manager, Graham Potter is someone with an identity and style of play. A possession-based style of manager who is young.

But the club might also want to look at David Moyes - someone who can steady the ship, who has managed teams at the bottom and knows how to keep clubs in the Premier League. And when given time, we saw the success he had with West Ham.

For the top three things the next manager needs to focus on, I am looking at stability, identity and getting players on board early.

They have got some experience in the side and an identity is key, but having the players on board is also important as it makes the job as manager a little bit easier .

The problem is, fan expectations are so high but the jump from Championship to Premier League is massive and you need to adapt to stay in there and give yourself a couple of seasons to do that. There is going to have to be patience.

The next manager is going to have to be real with the players - they are going to be fighting relegation until the end of the season to try and stay in the Premier League and everyone at the club will have to back the new boss to help them achieve that.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

What three things would you say are key for the next manager to get right?

Let us know, external

Image source, Getty Images

After Enzo Maresca said Jamie Vardy was the "best" England striker of his generation, one of the player's former team-mates Robert Huth says his achievements have "gone under the radar".

Huth, who played with Vardy during Leicester City’s Premier League title winning campaign, said: "You watch some of his goals, he literally scored any goal possible. A tap in, penalties, obviously, you know, 30-yard screamers, left foot volley, right foot volley. Any type of goal he could score.

"He was so versatile in his goal scoring. Is he better than [Harry] Kane? Who knows. But certainly, I think he's gone under the radar in terms of what he achieved in his last 10 years.

"To come so late onto the big stage and score 100 plus Premier League goals, win the Premier League, win the FA Cup, win the Community Shield, play for England, scoring goals for them, I think it's phenomenal. The way he changed with the managers, Claudio [Ranieri] was very much on the counter attack. Then we changed to a bit more possession and still he was the top scorer for us.

"So, I think he's right to get the plaudits that he’s getting."

Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy, 48, is favourite for the Leicester job after holding talks with the club's hierarchy. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

As Ed Sheeran made some headlines this week.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United fans hope Ruben Amorim will be 'The Man' but he was hoping for more points than just 'One'.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester are looking for a 'New Man' as Cooper's reign lasted 157 days.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves' ended their 'Bad Habits' with their first away win since February.

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham achieved a nearly 'Perfect' performance and an even better 'Photograph'.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool fans wonder what life could be like without the 'Shape of You'.

Image source, Getty Images

Despite Alexander Isak not asking the Newcastle fans to 'Give me Love' they clearly showed that they 'Remember the Name.'

Image source, Getty Images

And the Toon Army will be hoping Monday's loss was just a 'Small Bump'.

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of The Football News Show, Ben Croucher looks at what has been going wrong at Leicester City this season under Steve Cooper and where the Foxes go next following his sacking.

Watch the full programme below or on BBC iPlayer.

Leicester City fans Kate Wattam and Jake Watson tell The Football News Show what qualities they want to see in the next Foxes manager - and why Ruud van Nistelrooy is top of their list

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

Image source, PA Media

BBC Sport senior football news reporter Nick Mashiter, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club about Leicester City's decision to sack manager Steve Cooper on Sunday:

"The board have put themselves under an awful lot of pressure now because they're now looking for their fourth manager in 19 months.

"Dean Smith replaced Brendan Rodgers last April and you could argue that wasn't an appointment that worked because they went down. They were heading down at the time but that didn't work.

"Enzo Maresca - of course that worked because he got them back up straight away.

"Steve Cooper has lasted 157 days.

"So the board have put themselves under an awful lot of pressure to get this right.

"There's not a point in going down the wrong road, if you feel you're going down that road, any longer. You should just nip it in the bud and make that decision, so in those terms I think they deserve credit for deciding that's the way they want to go, but I think there needs to be more spotlight on the board now in terms of how they've handled things and appointed their managers over the past 18 months."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper thinks it's a "strange" situation at the Foxes, with the timing of Steve Cooper's sacking and hopes the club resolves it soon.

Speaking on the latest BBC Radio Leicester When You're Smiling podcast, Piper said: "What I'm most shocked about is the really strange timing. The more I think of it, it's such strange timing, you get beat by Man Utd (3-0) and it's the worst performance of the season by a country mile - we just didn't turn up.

"Then you've got a two week international break, you leave the manager in, you get beat by Chelsea and then you sack him.

"It's strange timing - I can understand that timeline if they think 'right we've got to move Steve on' but they've spoken to someone else and they're ready to go - then it makes sense.

"But, the club have come out and said that's not the case. We did this before and it bit us on the backside.

"I hope they've not gone down that line again, because the last time we did that it didn't work out well at all."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Leicester City are on the hunt for a new manager following the sacking of Steve Cooper after 12 league games.

Former Foxes defender Danny Simpson tells The Football News Show why their next few games will be pivotal to their season because it will have a bearing on who they will be able to attract in the January transfer window.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

Fulham and Leicester City are eyeing a loan deal in January for Brighton's 20-year-old Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Graham Potter is not currently under consideration to replace sacked Steve Cooper as Leicester City manager, sources have told BBC Sport.

The former Brighton and Chelsea head coach and the club have not spoken since the summer, sources said.

Potter was close to joining the Foxes before they appointed Cooper to replace Enzo Maresca in June, following the Championship title-winning manager's move to Stamford Bridge.

Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 and held advanced talks with the Foxes, only to be unable to agree a deal, but is not currently in contention this time.

Leicester are not commenting publicly on their search for a new manager but sources have told BBC Sport they would like to make an appointment before Saturday's trip to Brentford.

However, there is a recognition they need to get the appointment correct and will wait if it means finding the right candidate.

Potter's representatives have declined to comment.

David Moyes is another out of work former Premier League manager who is not expected to be among the contenders for the job at the King Power Stadium.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, available after leaving Manchester United's coaching staff following the appointment of Ruben Amorim this month, and West Brom's Carlos Corberan have been linked.

Another episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast is now available on BBC Sounds, as the Foxes' search for a successor to Steve Cooper goes on.

The team discuss how Graham Potter and David Moyes are not currently being considered by the hierarchy at King Power Stadium.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Cooper did have the buy-in from senior players at Leicester - including Jamie Vardy - but struggled to convince others in the squad.

The former Nottingham Forest boss was sacked on Sunday after just 15 games at King Power Stadium having replaced Enzo Maresca in the summer.

Maresca won the Championship title with the Foxes last season, taking them back to the Premier League at the first attempt, and was well liked by the team.

He had them well drilled, down to the smallest detail, the plan was clear and concise and some of the players had found it difficult to adapt to Cooper's style, which was less expansive with a desire to move the ball forward quicker.

There was a frustration from some in the squad of how much they were being asked to move away from what had brought them success last season.

Yet senior players, led by Vardy, were onside even if others were not, sources have told BBC Sport.

They continued to fall into the old ways requested by Maresca. Cooper was aware of that and was trying to change it - but he did not have the luxury of time without results.

His only pre-season target was survival and the Foxes spent less than the other promoted teams in Southampton and Ipswich.

Two wins from 12 Premier League games has them 16th and Leicester felt, while they wanted the appointment to work, there was too much to overcome.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester fans could not see beyond Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest past, according to Matt Davis, vice chairman of the Foxes Trust.

The 44-year-old was dismissed on Sunday after just 157 days in charge having replaced Enzo Maresca in the summer.

It was his first role since leaving Forest in December after just over two years at the City Ground.

Cooper took Forest back to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years in 2022, keeping them up in 2022-23 before being replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo.

The ex-Swansea manager also accepts his relationship with the fans was not there because of his Forest background, sources have told BBC Sport, with Davis admitting it was a struggle from the start.

Davis said: "He would never win some fans over because of the Forest connection, others would give him less time because of the Forest connection and others didn’t think he had what it took.

"Events with Cooper had the focus and the vast majority of fans were pleased the decision was swiftly made.

"I couldn’t see success coming with Cooper."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper says "it would be a level of incompetence" if the Foxes "have sacked Steve Cooper without a replacement already lined up".

Sunday's dismissal of Cooper means they are back in the market for a manager, but who is available?

Early favourites are David Moyes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Graham Potter, with the latter having been previously linked to the job in the summer.

"We know what happens when it goes a couple of games without someone coming in," said Piper on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast. "I am pretty positive that someone will have already been spoken to and accepted the terms of conditions.

"All three excite me but for different reasons. If you are going short term and to just get to the end of the season and keep us in the Premier League then David Moyes looks good. He is a strong candidate for that but I wouldn't really want him at the club long term.

"I like Ruud van Nistelrooy and I like what he did at PSV and in his cameo stint at Manchester United. He likes to play exciting, front-footed football and we have not had that for some time now.

"Graham Potter probably would have taken the job in the summer if it wasn't for the points deduction. He would have looked at the squad and thought he could have worked with it.

"He's a good young manager. Yes, he had a bit of a disastrous time at Chelsea but he is a good manager and he would also play exciting front-footed football.

"Potter is someone I would like to see at Leicester - if we can get him."

Listen to When You're Smiling on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City players have been criticised by supporters after going to Copenhagen for their Christmas party at the weekend.

The squad flew to Denmark immediately after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea - 24 hours before former boss Steve Cooper was sacked.

It was their pre-planned Christmas party, signed off by the club, and Copenhagen has been a regular destination for the Foxes over the years. They had already held fancy dress parties in the city in 2015 and 2019.

A video has emerged on social media - which has not yet been verified by BBC Sport - of the squad partying in a Copenhagen club.

Someone appears to be holding a sign near the squad saying: 'Enzo I miss you', referencing former manager Enzo Maresca, who joined Chelsea in the summer.

It is not clear who put the sign up and whether the players were aware of it. BBC Sport has approached Leicester City and several player representatives for comment.

Matt Davis, vice chairman of the Foxes Trust, understands the need for players to let off steam but appreciated the optics looked bad.

"I think it is unwise. It is not helpful to be seen partying after another defeat," he said.

"From a fan's perspective, I didn't feel like doing anything on Saturday. I felt really dejected. That's because of the passion [I have] for the club. You would hope it's the same passion from the players.

"It doesn't forge good relations. It gives the impression of not caring – which I'm sure is not true – but I get they have a life outside of football.

"I don't think an apology is owed, but it is about drawing a line in the sand and galvanising for the next manager."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy says there needs to be a "balance" between good football and getting results after Leicester sacked boss Steve Cooper.

The ex-Nottingham Forest manager was a somewhat surprising appointment in the summer to replace outgoing Enzo Maresca after he joined Chelsea.

Despite sitting outside the relegation zone in 16th, the Foxes have struggled to find consistency in their performances and have regularly found themselves having to come from behind in games.

The final straw in Cooper's short reign came in Leicester's 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea on Saturday that left them one point above fellow promoted side Ipswich.

"To come up out of the Championship and be outside of the relegation zone after 12 games, I didn't think he would be getting the sack," Murphy said on BBC MOTD2.

"I know the football has not been amazingly good on the eye at times but you have to find a balance with the players you have got available.

"Try and build some confidence to stay in games and maybe win pragmatically.

"You can't always be pleasing on the eye and get good results. I think he was doing OK. But these days, it isn't just Leicester fans but so many fans want both. They want really attacking dynamic football and results."

Watch the full discussion on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on who could succeed Steve Cooper in the Leicester hot seat.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Vin: Thought Cooper would get another three games but with the next few fixtures crucial Board thought pulling the trigger now was the right move. Potter, Van Nistelrooy or Moyes most likely. Just hope they’ve someone lined up to start before next weekend.

Tony: I see we are still trotting out the same old names like Graham Potter and David Moyes. While they could probably do a decent job we need to take a chance on somebody who can excite the fans and the team. Look what Maresca did last season. Now let's give Van Nistelroy a chance.

Stuart: Should have happened after that poor display against Man Utd. No passion, no direction, no spirit, no idea. Need someone the players and fans respect and who will enthuse them - Roberto Mancini for me!

Raj: I really think finally the board have woken up. Cooper was not inspiring his players or fans - and was devoid of ideas or a system. Poor selection in terms of players for game days. Get Potter in and give him the support financially as we do need to raise quality in January.

Chris: The team seemed beaten before they started against Chelsea. Van Nistelrooy or Moyes may be more inspiring than Potter.

Jon: I am not surprised but I thought Cooper might be given until Christmas to turn things around. He’s a nice guy and honest in his assessments but didn’t seem to have any plan B or C. I hope we manage to persuade Graham Potter to become the next manager. I am sure he would bring a new sense of purpose to both training and performances.

Trev: Mourinho, he's well had enough of Turkey and his family lives in England. He could be made to come over to the Premier League no matter what he says. It wouldn't be to fight relegation, a decent manager would make use of the good players we have and move the team up the league.

Phil: Probably better that the board have acted sooner rather than later. We have looked rudderless and there seems to have been no obvious strategy in games. We need to get someone in that can make us harder to score against, we've gone behind in far too many games. I'd love Potter to come in although I wonder if Moyes would be a better fit for now.

Chris Forryan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

He's gone.

Five months in charge and with a win rate of just 24.43%, Steve Cooper has been sacked.

Was he the wrong appointment? Well as he was one of my three choices for the job I have to say hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I really believed he could keep us up in 17th at least and that is what this season is all about, survival at any cost. Like the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the EFL are sniffing around waiting for us to fall through the trap door.

So what went wrong? Make yourself comfortable, let us begin. Tactics, team selection, substitutions, motivation….

The Foxes have 12 matches played in the league and 35 shots on target - which is less than three a game. That’s relegation stats. In fact, Robert Sanchez did not have to make a single save in our loss to Chelsea on Saturday, and we were at home. That's how bad we were.

Two league wins which were lucky rather than convincing. There have been three in the EFL Cup, all against lower league opposition, and we needed penalties to get past fourth tier Walsall.

No Plan A, let alone a Plan B, the players often look confused. Cooper was sticking with players who were obviously not performing. He was buying 'experienced players' then not picking Ricardo Pereira, one of our most experienced.

Wout Faes kept staring despite having a mistake in him in every game, Wilfred Ndidi is never playing the same position two weeks running and Patson Daka, his big hope up front, couldn't hit the proverbial door last season.

With Crystal Palace and Wolves starting to find some form the relegation zone was lurking and Top needed to act quickly after seeing the result of delaying with Brendan Rodgers.

The big question now is – who next? It's a decision Top can not afford to get wrong.

Find more from Chris Forryan at Leicester Till I Die, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison says he is "not shocked" by the sacking of Steve Cooper because of the "passive" performance against Chelsea on Saturday.

The Foxes are 16th in the Premier League and a point above the relegation zone.

"I'm not shocked because unless he went in to the job and transferred the style then it was almost inevitable he was going to get sacked," said Hutchison on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "That is because of the history between Leicester and Nottingham Forest and the fans' reaction.

"Their application against Chelsea is perhaps the reason because they didn't really do anything in the opening 45 minutes. They weren't putting any pressure on, running around or pressing.

"It was almost like they were so petrified that they were in their positions and passive. I was watching and thinking when are they going to do something in this game!

"But for what it is worth, even though Cooper has been sacked, I don't think this has done any damage to his career."

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester winger Matt Piper says there was no lack of effort in Saturday's defeat to Chelsea but the Foxes "just lacked the quality" to really trouble the Blues.

"I don't think Chelsea were cruising towards victory," he told the When You're Smiling podcast. "I thought there was some fight there, there was some effort. There was two or three players who played really well.

"I think Boubakary Soumare was good, worked hard and was on it. A lot of the things we did well he was involved in. Bilal El Khannouss the same. In the first-half, especially from an attacking standpoint, he was Leicester's best player.

"Then, I'm always torn with Victor Kristiansen because I look at him and I don't think he's a full-back at this level but he's always giving it his all. He had a tough task against [Noni] Madueke but he played him quite well. He's going to struggle in possession, he's not the most accomplished on the ball, but I take my hat off to him.

"Those three especially were good and I think there were a couple of good performances but we do just lack that little bit of quality whether it be in our own penalty area or the opposition's.

"Unless you're creating wonderful opportunities and the type of chances Jamie Vardy likes to feed off, and you're starving him because we can't get the ball, you're thinking 'where are the goals coming from?'

"That, to me, is the overriding feeling from the game. I'll never get after the side or the manager after a performance like that and slaughter the team like I did after the Manchester United loss. They showed effort, they just lacked the quality and couldn't really get close enough to lay a glove on Chelsea."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast has released an emergency episode after the Foxes sacked Steve Cooper.

Owynn Palmer-Atkin is joined by former Leicester winger Matt Piper and The Fosse Way writer Iain Wright to react to the news, breakdown where it went wrong for Cooper, and look at who could be in contention to replace him.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds