Taiwo Awoniyi’s former coach replaces Enzo Marsca at Leicester City

Former Nottingham Forest manager, Steven Daniel Cooper, has been appointed as the new Leicester City coach, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Welshman led the Reds to the promotion to the English top flight in 2022, spending eighteen months at the City Ground before he was fired due to a succession of poor results. He was replaced by former Tottenham Manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.

During Cooper's tenure at the club, he was in charge of three Nigerian players – Taiwo Awoniyi, Emmanuel Dennis, and Ola Aina. Awoniyi enjoyed his best-ever individual Premier League season under Steve Cooper, scoring 10 Premier League goals.

After relegating to the EFL Championships in the 2022/2023 season, Enzo Maresca led Leicester City to a Premier League return, but Chelsea sacking Mauricio Pochettino saw the Italian coach move to Stamford Bridge, leaving his position at the King Power Stadium vacant.

Leicester City Football Club can confirm the appointment of Steve Cooper as our new First Team Manager 🔵

— Leicester City (@LCFC) June 20, 2024

In their search for a new gaffer, the Foxes signed a three-year contract with 44-year-old Steve Cooper, citing his experience in the top flight as one of the major reasons they entrust him for their upcoming season in the league.

“I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City’s First Team Manager. 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,” Steve Cooper told Leicester's official website.

Born in Pontypridd, Cooper followed a playing career in Wales by becoming one of the youngest coaches to achieve the UEFA Pro Licence, aged 27, while coaching with Wrexham.

Cooper will be without Kelechi Iheanacho next season after the Super Eagles striker opted to not renew his contract with Leicester, but the situation with Ndidi is still unsure, as the midfielder is keeping his options open.