Leicester City have sacked manager Steve Cooper following their defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.
The Foxes are 16th in the Premier League after twelve matches and have earned just two wins in that spell. The club's decision brings to an end a brief spell in charge for Cooper who only arrived at the club in the summer to succeed Enzo Maresca.
It was the Italian coach, in charge of Chelsea, who delivered the final blow as Leicester fell to a 2-1 defeat at the King Power Stadium. It was the Midlands side's sixth defeat in the top flight as they look to secure their future in the division having achieved promotion last season. First Team Coach Ben Dawson is set to lead training moving forwards, supported by Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, with a new manager to be appointed as soon as possible.
It is the second season in succession that Cooper has been sacked before the turn of the year after Nottingham Forest parted ways with the former Swansea boss in December 2023. A Leicester statement read: "Leicester City Football Club has parted company with Steve Cooper, who leaves his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.
"Assistant Manager Alan Tate and First Team Coach and Analyst Steve Rands have also left the Club. Steve, Alan and Steve depart with our thanks for their contribution during their time with the Club and with our best wishes for the future.
"Men’s First Team training will be overseen by First Team Coach Ben Dawson, supported by coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, as the Club begins the process of appointing a new manager, which we hope to conclude as soon as possible."
The Foxes face Brentford, West Ham, Brighton, Newcastle and Wolves before next taking on a member of the current top four in what could be a crucial period for the club. Leicester sit two points clear of the relegation zone with Southampton, Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace currently occupying those positions.
In the aftermath of his final game in charge, Cooper was highly critical of referee Andrew Madley. "We've had a lot of bad luck with this referee this year," he said.
"It's our third or fourth game with him and it's not been the best of times. It continued today.
"The last thing [referees' body] PGMOL needed was that performance. He's got some big decisions massively wrong and in general a couple of advantages he blew up.
"I don't know if he lost concentration or composure but it's not what the referees needed in the first game live on TV [after the international break]. It's a pity. It's going to be all the talking points. I'm disappointed it's us on the wrong end of it."
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