Leicester City’s Premier League journey has taken a dramatic turn with the unexpected dismissal of manager Steve Cooper after just 12 matches. Despite guiding the team to 16th place with victories over Bournemouth and Southampton and a valuable draw against Tottenham Hotspur, Cooper’s tenure ended following a 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea. While his sacking has shocked many, the team’s poor form, with no wins in the last five matches and a damaging loss to rivals Nottingham Forest, left some observers feeling that the decision was inevitable.
Alan Smith, a Leicester City legend, shared his reaction to the sacking in an exclusive interview with EPL Index. He admitted that the news was surprising but suggested there might have been underlying factors at play. “The fans never fully embraced him because of his past connection with Nottingham Forest,” said Smith, referring to the heavy defeat to Cooper’s former club, which had Leicester fans vocal in their discontent. Despite Leicester’s position above the relegation zone at the time, Smith speculated that other behind-the-scenes factors may have influenced the club’s decision.
Looking to the future, Smith discussed potential candidates to replace Cooper, starting with Graham Potter. “Potter is undoubtedly a talented coach,” he said, but acknowledged that Potter may have been waiting for the right opportunity. Smith also noted rumors suggesting Potter turned down Leicester earlier in the summer, partly due to concerns about a potential points deduction hanging over the club. Given Leicester’s current precarious position, Smith suggested Potter might hesitate to take on a relegation battle.
David Moyes was also mentioned as a potential successor. Smith praised the Scottish manager for his strong track record, particularly at West Ham United, where he consistently led the club to mid-table finishes and European football. While Moyes was dismissed by West Ham at the end of last season, Smith believes he remains a capable Premier League manager, adding that Moyes could be a solid choice to guide Leicester through their fight for survival. However, Smith acknowledged that Moyes’ previous stint at Sunderland, which ended in relegation, might raise some doubts.
In addition to Potter and Moyes, other names have surfaced in connection with the Leicester job, including former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, current Coventry City manager Mark Robins, and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan. With Leicester in a battle to avoid the drop, the club faces the crucial task of securing the right managerial appointment.
As for Steve Cooper, Smith believes his future may lie back in the EFL, where he enjoyed success with Nottingham Forest before his move to Leicester. However, Cooper will likely be keeping an eye on managerial changes elsewhere, including at Crystal Palace and Everton, where Oliver Glasner and Sean Dyche are facing increasing pressure.
As Leicester moves forward, the club’s next managerial appointment will be critical in their quest to secure Premier League survival.
