Leicester City manager Steve Cooper could soon find himself out of a job, with club insiders suggesting his dismissal may come before the Foxes’ upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest.
The pressure is mounting on the Welshman, and it seems the club’s hierarchy is losing patience with him at a critical stage of the season.
Cooper, who took over following the collapse of talks with Graham Potter, faces increasing scrutiny after an inconsistent start to the campaign.
The King Power board, it is reported, could pull the trigger on his tenure sooner rather than later. According to sources close to the club, the upcoming match against Southampton has become pivotal for the 44-year-old’s future.
The stakes are high, with the Southampton game set to take place immediately after the international break. Should Leicester falter, Cooper’s stint in charge could come to an abrupt end.
As things stand, the club’s top brass are weighing their options. An ultimatum has reportedly been issued: anything less than a convincing performance at Southampton might seal his fate ahead of the Forest fixture.
A source told Leicester City News: “The fans are growing impatient with the football he’s playing at Leicester City and the board clearly aren’t too happy either.”
The discontent among supporters has simmered since Cooper’s appointment, with many questioning the style and substance of his football. The initial frustration dates back to the announcement of Cooper’s hiring, which came as a surprise after the board failed to land Potter.
Cooper is under “immense pressure,” with a growing feeling that a loss to Southampton could force Leicester’s hand. For a club with Premier League ambitions, early struggles are proving intolerable, and the looming clash with Nottingham Forest now carries even more significance—not only for the team but for Cooper’s future.
Cannon in Demand as Leicester Weighs Options:
Amid the managerial uncertainty, Leicester City is also making headlines with the potential return of young striker Tom Cannon.
The 21-year-old, currently on loan at Stoke City, is attracting significant interest following a standout performance in which he bagged four goals against Portsmouth.
However, Leicester’s interest in recalling Cannon isn’t driven by a desire to integrate him into their own squad but rather to explore a possible transfer opportunity.
Despite joining from Everton with high hopes, Cannon has struggled for chances at Leicester.
Managers Enzo Maresca and Steve Cooper have both kept him on the sidelines, limiting the striker’s opportunity to make an impression. Some fans may have assumed Cannon was sold outright, given how little he featured before his loan move to Stoke.
The question now is whether Leicester will call him back in January to cash in on his recent rise in value.
Cannon’s future could hinge on whether Stoke or other Championship sides are prepared to meet Leicester’s demands for a permanent transfer. While his four-goal haul has certainly raised his stock, doubts still linger about whether he can make the leap to the Premier League.
Leicester’s top brass are said to be exploring a loan-to-buy arrangement, giving other clubs the chance to take a closer look at Cannon before committing to a deal.
If the offer is right, Leicester may look to move the striker on, with the January transfer window providing an ideal moment to make the most of his current momentum.
With key decisions on both Cooper’s position and Cannon’s future on the horizon, Leicester faces a crucial few weeks that could shape the course of their season. Whether Cooper can steady the ship and save his job remains to be seen, but the pressure is firmly on at the King Power Stadium.