Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is reportedly encountering dressing room challenges only three games into the new Premier League season. Cooper assumed the managerial role at King Power Stadium during the summer following Enzo Maresca’s departure to Chelsea. His arrival marked a new chapter for Leicester, though it appears the transition hasn’t been entirely smooth.
Before joining Leicester, Cooper had made a name for himself at Nottingham Forest, where he spent one-and-a-half seasons in the Premier League, having successfully led the team to promotion from the Championship in the 2021/22 season. His tenure at Nottingham Forest was widely appreciated by fans, many of whom continued to support him, even after his eventual dismissal. Cooper’s popularity was built on his coaching skills, which he honed during his time with England’s youth teams and later in a largely successful spell at Swansea City, where he spent two seasons before parting ways with the club by mutual consent in 2021.
However, despite Cooper’s solid reputation and experience, Leicester’s start to the Premier League season has been far from ideal. The team has secured only one point from their first three matches, leaving them in 15th place in the standings. According to reports, some issues have emerged behind the scenes at the club, with certain players finding it difficult to adapt to Cooper’s managerial approach.
Unlike his predecessor, Maresca, who was more authoritarian and direct in his leadership style, Cooper is reportedly more hands-off. This shift in approach has caused some tension, with players allegedly struggling to adjust. The Sun claims that some members of the squad have been left uncertain by Cooper’s willingness to involve them in decisions, including tactics and potential signings, contrasting with Maresca’s more prescriptive management style, which left little room for player input.
Cooper Faces Early Dressing Room Struggles at Premier League
Despite these reported challenges, Cooper is said to remain calm about the situation. He is reportedly taking a patient approach, believing that building stronger relationships with his players will take time. Importantly, there is no suggestion of outright tension between the manager and his squad, and some reports indicate that Maresca himself was not universally popular during his tenure. While Maresca did lead Leicester to promotion last season, there were concerns about his ability to handle poor form, particularly after the team’s inconsistent performances in the latter stages of the campaign. The Foxes finished 11th in the Championship form table over the final 15 games, which raised questions among supporters about his long-term suitability.
Nevertheless, Leicester managed to secure promotion with a commanding 3-0 victory away at Preston North End, easing some of those doubts at the time. Cooper, for his part, seems determined to maintain a positive relationship with his players. In his pre-match press conference ahead of their upcoming fixture, he addressed the claims about dressing room unrest, insisting that he has the full support of his squad. He emphasized the importance of looking beyond early-season results and focusing on the positives in their performances.
Cooper stated, “You can’t be narrow-minded enough to not see beyond the results. Some parts of our performances have been good.” He added, “The players are on board, and we give them a voice. We need to do even more to deliver even more.” His remarks suggest that while there may be growing pains as the team adjusts to a new style of leadership, he remains confident that both he and the squad are moving in the right direction.
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is reportedly facing internal challenges within the dressing room just three games into the new Premier League season. Cooper, who took over the reins at the King Power Stadium during the summer after Enzo Maresca’s departure to Chelsea, finds himself in a somewhat precarious position as he looks to establish his leadership style with a new group of players.
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