Leicester City manager Steve Cooper would be wise to focus on his team’s frequent, unnecessary errors rather than fixating on officials.
While it’s true that Diogo Dalot might have been offside when he passed to Alejandro Garnacho in the build-up to Manchester United’s second goal, Cooper’s reaction seems disproportionate.
The incident earned him his third yellow card of the season, meaning he will now be forced to watch the crucial Ipswich Town game from the stands—a significant absence for Leicester in what could be one of their most important Premier League clashes.
The controversy unfolded during the English Football League Cup Round of 16 at Old Trafford, where the linesman made a questionable call.
Andrew Madley, the match’s referee, may have been overly harsh with Cooper, but the Leicester boss’s fiery response was equally unwise.
Passionate as he is, Cooper’s outburst appears more a hindrance than a help as it risks City’s performance against Ipswich—a game where his presence on the touchline would be invaluable.
Leicester City now face consequences for their manager’s conduct. It’s not the first time the Foxes have faced issues with managerial discipline, yet Cooper’s behavior seemed to propel him straight into trouble.
As a reporter for Foxes of Leicester, I want to clarify that my aim isn’t to criticise Cooper harshly or to call his character into question.
However, we strive to offer honest assessments, even when it means highlighting both the positives and the negatives of those at the club.
For me, Cooper is still a work in progress at Leicester, showing promise but also inconsistencies that are hard to ignore.
While Cooper may have been justified in questioning the officiating during United’s second goal, he might have served Leicester better by advising his players on basic defensive positioning. James Justin, for example, despite his senior England caps, looked lost as Garnacho found ample space to score. Justin’s rawness, especially in critical defensive situations, often overshadows his strengths. Though he possesses undeniable talent, lapses like these indicate a need for guidance and focus, especially against the Premier League’s more formidable teams.
The misstep Justin made is perhaps emblematic of broader issues within Leicester’s backline. While he has delivered moments of brilliance, such as his outstanding goal against Arsenal, his defensive awareness appears inconsistent, especially when he ventures forward. His tendency to flinch in the defensive wall, allowing the ball to deflect past his goalkeeper, only highlights a need for discipline that Cooper should be addressing rather than disputing referees’ decisions.
In short, the Ipswich game will show if Leicester can cope without Cooper on the sidelines. The match could be a turning point, especially as Cooper’s response to recent events has cost his presence in what could be a decisive fixture. It’s a lesson in priorities that Cooper might need to absorb if he’s to guide Leicester through the challenges ahead.