Leicester City Could Solve Cooper’s Biggest Problem by Hiring Highly Rated Out-of-Work Manager – Opinion
Steve Cooper Could Already Be Feeling the Pressure at Leicester City Despite Being Just Six Games into the Premier League Season.
Leicester City have yet to secure a Premier League victory under Steve Cooper, accumulating just three points from a possible 18 so far.
These points came from draws against Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, and Everton, while their latest defeat, a 4-2 loss to Arsenal, marked their third loss of the season.
Despite the defeat to Arsenal, Cooper could take some encouragement from Leicester’s resilient performance.
It took two stoppage-time goals in the second half for Arsenal to overcome Leicester, suggesting that the team fought hard throughout the match.
However, Leicester’s upcoming four fixtures will be crucial, and if results do not improve, the club could potentially seek to replace Cooper with a more experienced Premier League manager to address ongoing issues.
David Moyes has emerged as a possible candidate for this role.
Leicester have remained competitive in their games since returning to the top flight, at least in terms of scorelines.
The two-goal loss to Arsenal was their largest margin of defeat, with earlier losses to Fulham and Aston Villa both ending 2-1.
The most concerning aspect of Leicester’s performances, however, is their inability to keep a clean sheet under Cooper’s management.
The former Nottingham Forest manager faced skepticism upon his appointment, both due to his past association with Leicester’s rivals and his reputation for implementing overly cautious tactics.
His risk-averse style has been evident in the early part of the season, and while such an approach might be tolerated if it yielded clean sheets and points, the lack of defensive solidity has raised concerns.
For this reason, Leicester City may need to consider replacing Cooper, and David Moyes could be an ideal option.
Although Moyes may not be seen as the most inspiring choice, his track record of organizing defensively sound teams makes him a strong candidate.
Moyes is currently available after leaving West Ham at the end of last season, and many believe he was unfairly dismissed by the Hammers.
Leicester have managed to score at least once in every league match this season, so addressing their defensive frailties could quickly turn their fortunes around.
Moyes, known for building solid defensive units while maintaining a counter-attacking threat, could maximize Leicester’s pacey wide players and forwards who thrive on getting in behind defenses.
Having won the Europa Conference League in 2023, Moyes boasts a wealth of experience, particularly in keeping teams afloat in the Premier League.
Despite dividing opinions at West Ham, the 61-year-old is highly regarded among his peers.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praised Moyes last season, saying, “I think he’s an outstanding manager. I rate him so highly.
Longevity in the game means something, especially at this level.”
Hiring Moyes could significantly boost Leicester’s chances of staying in the Premier League this season.
With his proven track record, Moyes would bring the defensive stability Leicester desperately needs.
