Steve Cooper may already be feeling the pressure at Leicester City, despite the fact that we are only six games into the Premier League season.
The Foxes are still searching for their first win under Cooper, having collected just three points from a possible 18.
Draws against Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, and Everton have provided a meagre return, while their most recent setback, a 4-2 defeat to Arsenal, capped a run of three losses.
Leicester’s spirited performance against Arsenal will have offered some encouragement to Cooper.
It took two stoppage-time goals for the Gunners to finally overcome a stubborn Foxes side, who fought hard throughout.
Yet, with the team hovering near the foot of the table, the next four matches will be pivotal. Should Leicester continue to struggle, the club may be forced to consider making a managerial change, with an experienced Premier League figure potentially needed to address the team’s pressing issues.
One name that has surfaced as a potential replacement is David Moyes, who could be the perfect fit to steady the ship at Leicester.
While Leicester have remained competitive in most of their games since their return to the top flight—on paper, at least—the reality is more concerning.
The two-goal defeat to Arsenal is the heaviest they’ve suffered so far, with losses to Fulham and Aston Villa both ending 2-1. However, the most worrying statistic is that Leicester have yet to keep a single Premier League clean sheet under Cooper’s stewardship.
Cooper, who arrived at Leicester following a contentious spell at rivals Nottingham Forest, was never fully embraced by the fanbase. His reputation for negative, safety-first tactics has made him a hard sell at the King Power Stadium.
And while such a pragmatic approach might be tolerated if it delivered clean sheets and results, the lack of defensive solidity is becoming harder to overlook.
Enter Moyes. Though not necessarily the most exciting choice, his credentials as a steady hand in the Premier League make him a logical candidate to replace Cooper.
Moyes, who is currently out of work after leaving West Ham at the end of last season, boasts a wealth of top-flight experience. His defensive know-how, coupled with his ability to organise a team, would address one of Leicester’s most glaring weaknesses.
Leicester have shown they can score goals, having found the net in every league match so far this season. The problem is at the other end of the pitch, where they have been far too porous.
Moyes, known for building solid defences and setting up teams to be effective on the counter-attack, could be the solution. With Leicester’s pace on the wings and ability to break in behind opposition defences, Moyes’ tactical approach seems a natural fit.
Moyes’ stock remains high, despite the mixed feelings he left behind at West Ham. He guided the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory in 2023, proving he still has plenty to offer.
His reputation within the game is solid, with figures like Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou among those who have praised him.
Last season, Postecoglou said: “I think he’s an outstanding manager. I rate him so highly. He is one of the ones I have always rated highly. Longevity in the game means something, especially at this level.”
If Leicester are serious about securing their Premier League status this season, Moyes could be the ideal man to take over from Cooper and get them back on track.
With his experience, tactical acumen, and defensive expertise, Moyes would give Leicester a much-needed boost in their bid to avoid the drop.