Steve Cooper appointed new Leicester manager

Leicester have appointed Steve Cooper as their new manager on a three-year deal.

Cooper, 44, had been out of work since leaving Nottingham Forest in December but has succeeded Enzo Maresca at the King Power Stadium on a contract that runs until 2027.

Maresca left the Foxes after delivering promotion to the Premier League to take over at Chelsea following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure at the end of the season.

Cooper has been biding his time to get back into work following an emotional exit from the City Ground, where he guided Forest back into the top flight for the first time in 23 years and then kept them there.

The Leicester job will not be without its challenges as the Foxes have a possible points deduction hanging over them and may also need to sell players to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Cooper’s reign will begin with a home game against Tottenham, who were also the opponents for his final game in charge of Forest. He will return to the City Ground in May.

Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan were also understood to have been considered for the role, but Cooper won the race.