Cooper’s tenure as manager of Leicester City was short-lived, marked by only 14 matches in charge across all competitions, during which he secured a mere four victories. The club’s struggles under his leadership were evident, and they found themselves in a perilous position, just one point above the relegation zone. Their form had been especially concerning, as they failed to win in their last five outings, leading to the inevitable decision to part ways with the manager. This decision prompted the appointment of former Newcastle United coach Ben Dawson as the interim manager.
Dawson had joined Leicester in the summer with the intention of strengthening Cooper’s backroom staff, bringing with him valuable experience from his time at Newcastle. His immediate role would be to step into the managerial hot seat on a temporary basis, though it now appears that Dawson’s stint as caretaker manager will be brief. According to reports from The Telegraph, Leicester are on the verge of confirming a permanent replacement for Cooper, with Dawson likely not to be in the dugout for their upcoming fixture. The club is reportedly closing in on appointing a new permanent manager, with the former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy set to take over the reins.
Van Nistelrooy, who has a rich playing history with United, has recently departed his coaching role at Old Trafford after the appointment of Ruben Amorim as the club’s new manager. The 48-year-old Dutchman had briefly assumed interim managerial duties at Manchester United following Erik ten Hag’s departure. During his time in charge, Van Nistelrooy oversaw four matches, which included a significant 5-2 victory over Leicester in the Carabao Cup, and a 3-0 win in a Premier League encounter. His time at the helm, though short, demonstrated his ability to guide the team through turbulent times, and his record with the Red Devils included these commanding performances against Leicester.
If the reports are correct, Van Nistelrooy is expected to take charge of Leicester’s upcoming fixture against Brentford on Saturday, with further matches against West Ham and Brighton following soon after. These upcoming games will be crucial as Leicester continue their push to stabilize their position in the league. After these fixtures, the team will face a challenging trip to St James’ Park on Saturday, December 15, where they will meet Newcastle United.
Newcastle will likely approach this match with fond memories, recalling the last time the two teams met in May 2023. In that encounter, despite a goalless draw at home, Newcastle secured the point they needed to confirm their Champions League qualification for the following season. That draw was especially poignant for the Magpies, as it was played in front of their home fans at St James’ Park, and it sealed their return to Europe’s elite competition after a long absence. The historical significance of that moment adds an extra layer of anticipation to what promises to be another exciting clash when Leicester makes the trip north in mid-December.
