After being named as Leicester City’s new manager on a three-year contract, Steve Cooper has committed to ensure that the club meets the task of remaining in the Premier League next season. Following his dismissal at Nottingham Forest midway through last season and Rob Edwards’ relegation with Luton Town, the former Swansea City manager will ensure that at least one Welsh manager works in the top division next season. Cooper, 44, has been out of work since leaving Forest in December, but he has replaced Enzo Maresca at the King Power Stadium on a contract that extends until 2027.
Maresca left the Foxes after guiding them to Premier League success to take over at Chelsea following the resignation of Mauricio Pochettino at the end of the season. Cooper has been waiting for his chance to return to work after an emotional departure from the City Ground, where he took Forest back into the top division for the first time in 23 years and subsequently maintained their position. “I am very proud to be joining a club with such a rich history,” he stated in an open letter to Leicester fans. “I congratulate the players and staff on their successful promotion to the Premier League.” I know how difficult that is.
“Any football fan can only be impressed by how far this club has come in recent years.” “The Premier League title in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021 showcased what a united club can achieve. As the new manager, I take that legacy seriously. “My job will be to build on those accomplishments and bring everyone along, including players, staff, and fans. Great challenges are ahead, but I believe Leicester thrives at these circumstances. I know we’ll be prepared.”
The Leicester job will not be easy, as the Foxes face a possible points deduction and may have to sell players to meet the Premier League’s profit and sustainability standards. Cooper’s tenure will begin with a home game against Tottenham, who were also the opponents in his final game as manager of Forest. He’ll return to the City Ground in May. Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter, as well as West Brom’s Carlos Corberan, are believed to have been considered for the position, but Cooper won out.
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha stated, “We are happy to welcome Steve to Leicester City. His vision for the team, especially his ability to develop players and adopt a dynamic style of play, is extremely similar to our goals for the club. “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 was born in Pontypridd and followed a playing career in Wales by becoming one of the youngest coaches to acquire the UEFA Pro Licence at the age of 27, while coaching for Wrexham.
He left his position as head of youth development at Wrexham to join Liverpool as an academy coach in September 2008, and was later promoted to academy manager, coaching the club’s Under-18s for the 2012/13 season. He assumed command of England’s Under-16s team in October 2014 before being appointed manager of the Under-17s the next year.
He led his team to the final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May 2017, and they were named FIFA Under-17 World Cup champions five months later. Cooper took over as head coach of Swansea in June 2019 and led the club to sixth place in his first season, losing to Brentford in a two-legged play-off semi-final. He subsequently finished fourth the following season and led his team to the play-off final, where they were defeated by Brentford at Wembley. After leaving in July 2021, he was named Nottingham Forest manager in September of the same year.
He miraculously brought the City Ground club from the bottom of the Championship to fourth position in his first season in charge, resulting in promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. He secured Forest’s top-flight position the following year before departing the club in December 2023.
