Leicester City’s decision to appoint Steve Cooper as their new manager signals a shift in philosophy from the possessional play style of Enzo Maresca. While Maresca’s approach brought success to Leicester, the club recognizes the need for a more pragmatic and flexible approach to stay in the Premier League next season.
Cooper, at the age of 44, has an extensive coaching background that began at the age of 20 after his playing career failed to take off. He gained his UEFA Pro coaching license by 26 and worked in youth development at Wrexham and as an academy manager at Liverpool. During his time at Liverpool, he was heavily influenced by two former Barcelona coaches, Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura. Cooper then joined the England youth setup, managing the under-17s to victory in the age group’s World Cup in 2017.
Cooper’s coaching philosophy emphasizes player ownership and problem-solving. He believes in giving players the freedom to analyze opponents, develop game plans, and review their own performances. In this modern approach, Cooper acts as a facilitator rather than a traditional coach, encouraging players to learn from each other.
Similar to his predecessor Brendan Rodgers, Cooper draws inspiration from motivational quotes and mantras. He had a canvas of Denzel Washington with the quote “Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship” displayed in his office at Nottingham Forest. This commitment to personal development and man-management is a hallmark of Cooper’s coaching style.
Cooper’s time at Swansea City in the Championship saw mixed reactions from fans. While he initially played a more pragmatic style with a 4-3-3 formation, injuries forced him to shift to a three-man defense with wing-backs. This defensive approach made Swansea difficult to beat but lacked flair and excitement.
However, when Cooper took over at Nottingham Forest during their relegation battle, he implemented a fast and attacking style of play. His team played from a base of a three-man central defense with pacy wing-backs. Forest achieved remarkable success under Cooper, including a promotion and victories against Premier League sides Arsenal and Leicester in the FA Cup.
Cooper’s man-management skills were particularly effective at Forest, where he had to change the mindset of a demoralized team. He fostered a sense of unity within the club, regularly checking in on players through FaceTime calls and getting to know all the staff members personally. This unity became vital in helping Forest avoid relegation during their first season back in the Premier League.
Cooper adapts his tactical approach based on the resources at his disposal. He recognized that Forest couldn’t maintain their high-octane attacking style in the Premier League and switched to a more defensive 4-2-3-1 formation. His ability to adapt to different circumstances and opponents is a testament to his flexibility as a manager.
As Cooper takes charge at Leicester City, he will thoroughly assess the squad and determine the best approach for the upcoming season. He may opt for a back three formation, utilizing the athleticism of full-backs Ricardo Pereira, James Justin, and Victor Kristiansen. However, this could pose a challenge for wingers Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu. Cooper’s meticulous analysis of Leicester’s previous season will inform his tactical decisions and player selection.
In hiring Cooper, Leicester may have found a hybrid of Maresca’s playing style and Cooper’s pragmatic approach. The club is banking on Cooper’s commitment to both his players and his football philosophy to lead them to success in the Premier League.