Leicester hope to appoint new manager before Brentford clash on Saturday after sacking Steve Cooper, with club interested in speaking to English boss

Leicester will look to appoint a new permanent manager in time for Saturday’s trip to Brentford after sacking Steve Cooper after only 15 games in charge.

The former Nottingham Forest boss departed King Power Stadium the day after his side’s flat performance in a 2-1 home defeat by Chelsea, leaving them two points above the relegation zone.

Cooper was hired on a three-year contract last summer and leaves with Leicester in the best position of the three sides promoted from the Championship last term.

It is understood the club would be interested in speaking to Graham Potter, who they approached last summer and in spring 2023.

Cooper struggled to win over the majority of the squad. At their Christmas party in Copenhagen on Saturday night – a trip which had been approved by Cooper – players were pictured in the Museo nightclub in the city. In one of the pictures, a reveller holds aloft a sign ‘Enzo I miss you’.

Former Leicester coach Enzo Maresca, who was succeeded by Cooper, had led Chelsea to a 2-1 win at King Power Stadium hours earlier.

It comes after the Foxes sacked Steve Cooper after only 15 games in charge

It is understood Leicester would be interested in speaking to ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter

Even though results were not disastrous, Leicester chiefs were alarmed by the standard of performances while the change in approach between Cooper and Maresca is also thought to have unsettled a number of players.

The squad were due to have Monday off before resuming training on Tuesday. Ruud van Nistelrooy may also throw his hat into the ring after leaving Manchester United earlier this month, while David Moyes has a strong track record and is available.

Leicester were relegated at the end of the 2022-23 campaign, having resisted sacking Brendan Rodgers until it was arguably too late. Mail Sport understands the hierarchy did not want to be left wondering again this time, with the stakes so high.

Though not thought to be a strong factor in his dismissal, Cooper’s vociferous criticism of officials was unusual for a Leicester manager in the era of the Srivaddhanaprabha family’s ownership. After the game on Saturday the Welshman was vocal in his attack on referee Andy Madley for failing to give Leicester more than one penalty in the second half.