Three Puzzling Steve Cooper Decisions That Have Already Lost Him the Leicester City Fanbase – Opinion

Leicester City fans were initially skeptical when the club appointed Steve Cooper as their new manager, especially given his previous role as the coach of their fierce rivals, Nottingham Forest.

 

Adding to their concerns, Cooper is not known for being a particularly passionate manager, and his style of football is often regarded as defensive and negative.

 

Despite these reservations, a portion of the Leicester fanbase was willing to give Cooper a chance.

 

They understood that the club was not in the most attractive position during the summer, especially with rumors of an impending points deduction.

 

However, since taking charge, Cooper has yet to secure a Premier League victory, and the recent 0-0 draw against League Two side Walsall in the Carabao Cup only intensified the fans’ frustrations.

With these struggles in mind, here are three puzzling decisions Cooper has made during his tenure, which have further alienated him from Leicester supporters.

 

1. Steve Cooper’s Decision to Sideline Ricardo Pereira

 

When a new manager comes in, it’s expected that some players may not fit their preferred style of play.

 

However, Cooper’s decision to exclude Ricardo Pereira from his Premier League plans has left many fans scratching their heads.

 

Pereira, one of the club’s standout performers last season, has not played a single minute in the league since Cooper’s arrival.

 

Instead, Cooper has chosen to field James Justin and Victor Kristiansen in the full-back positions, leaving Pereira sidelined.

 

Leicester fans are particularly confused by this move, given Pereira’s status as one of the club’s longest-serving and most reliable players.

 

Many expected him to play a pivotal role this season, especially as Leicester remains winless in the Premier League.

 

His absence has become a major talking point, with fans questioning why such a talented and experienced player has been reduced to watching from the sidelines.

 

2. Defensive Tactics Cost Leicester a Win Against Crystal Palace

 

Leicester’s return to the Premier League has been marked by three draws and three losses, but one of those draws could easily have been a victory.

 

In their fourth game of the season against Crystal Palace, Leicester took a commanding 2-0 lead.

 

However, Cooper’s defensive substitutions soon changed the course of the match.

After Palace reduced the deficit to 2-1, Cooper brought on defensive players Hamza Choudhury and Conor Coady, shifting to a more conservative setup.

 

This move backfired, as it invited constant pressure from Palace.

 

Leicester struggled to regain control of the game, and in stoppage time, Coady conceded a penalty by fouling Ismaila Sarr.

 

Palace converted the penalty to level the score at 2-2.

 

Leicester fans were left bewildered by Cooper’s decision to adopt such a defensive approach when the team had been in control.

 

His substitutions effectively handed the momentum to Palace, leading to a frustrating result that felt like a defeat.

 

3. Stephy Mavididi’s Late Inclusion in the Starting Lineup

 

Leicester made some underwhelming winger signings during the summer transfer window, bringing in Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Jordan Ayew.

 

While both players are seasoned Premier League veterans, they are not the most dynamic options.

 

Despite this, Cooper opted to start both players at the expense of Stephy Mavididi, who had been one of Leicester’s most dangerous attacking threats last season.

 

Fans were left perplexed by Cooper’s reluctance to start Mavididi, especially given the winger’s proven ability to make an impact.

 

However, Cooper eventually gave in, starting Mavididi in the match against Crystal Palace.

 

The winger rewarded this decision by scoring at Selhurst Park, and he followed it up with another goal in the subsequent 1-1 draw against Everton.

 

Leicester supporters had been clamoring for Mavididi’s inclusion from the start of the season, and his back-to-back goals only furthered the narrative that Cooper had waited too long to recognize his talent.

 

Fans continue to question why it took Cooper so long to realize that Mavididi should be a regular starter in the team.

 

These questionable decisions have only added to the growing sense of frustration among Leicester fans, as Cooper struggles to find a winning formula for the team.