Super Eagles duo, Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, are now set for Premier league new season after Leicester City appointed Steve Cooper as new coach of the Foxes.
The Foxes management have been on the road in search of a new manager after parting ways with Enzo Maresca. Cooper who coached Taiwo Awoniyi at the Nottingham Forest in the past has been handed a three year deal by the foxes
Join our WhatsApp ChannelCooper has been out of work since being sacked by Leicester’s East Midlands rivals, Nottingham Forest, last December as the club languished in 17th place in the Premier League after a run of just one win in 13 games.
Before that, the 44-year-old guided Forest back into the top flight for the first time in 23 years and then kept them there.
READ ALSO Ndidi Scores, Iheanacho Not Listed In Leicester’s Win Against West Brom
Speaking to Leicester’s official website, Cooper said: “I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City’s first-team manager.
“This is a fantastic club with a rich history and passionate supporters. I am excited to work with such a talented squad and I’m looking forward to the challenge of achieving our shared ambitions in the Premier League.”
The Leicester job will not be without its challenges for Cooper, with the Foxes facing a possible points deduction and potentially needing to sell players to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha added: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to Leicester City. His vision for the team, including his ability to develop players and implement a dynamic style of play, is very much aligned with our aspirations for the club.
“As a leader, he has the ability to build on the strong relationship that has been forged between our fans and our team, strengthening a bond that will be vital to us re-establishing the club in the Premier League.”
Cooper brings plenty of experience to Leicester, having also been in charge of the England U16 and U17 international sides, winning the World Cup with the latter in 2017 before managing Championship side Swansea City from 2019-2021.
The Eagles duo, happy to return to the premier league will certainly be nursing same ambition with the club which is to remain in the Premier League.
Leicester will start their 2024/25 Premier League season against Tottenham on August 19.
The newly-promoted Foxes then travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham in their second game before returning to the King Power Stadium to take on Aston Villa on August 31.
Their first East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest where Cooper could face his former club comes at home on October 26, with the return game taking place at the City Ground on May 10. Ndidi and Iheanacho fought hard to see the foxes fight their way back into the Premiership.
Recall that Iheanacho scored six goals in 26 matches in all competitions, as the foxes topped the EFL Championship, securing promotion back to the Premier League. On 7 June 2024, he was among the players announced to depart the club upon the conclusion of the season but nothing is sealed in this regard yet.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
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