Steve Cooper has been appointed as the new Leicester manager

Leicester City have appointed former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper as their new manager on a three-year deal.

Cooper, 44, has been unemployed since leaving Forest in December 2023.

The Foxes have been searching for a new manager since Enzo Maresca left for Chelsea at the start of June.

Maresca joined Leicester at the start of last season, guiding the club to top spot in the Championship and an immediate return to the Premier League after relegation in 2022-23.

“I am very excited and proud to be appointed first team manager at Leicester City,” said Cooper.

“This is a fantastic club with a rich history and passionate supporters. I am delighted to be working with such a talented team and look forward to the challenge of delivering on our shared ambitions in the Premier League.”

Leicester were disappointed that Maresca opted to leave the club after winning the Championship title.

The Foxes have considered a number of replacements, including West Brom manager Carlos Corberan.

Cooper gives the Foxes Premier League experience after keeping Forest in the top flight, finishing 16th following their promotion in 2022.

He was a popular figure among Forest supporters but was sacked midway through last season with the club 17th in the table.

The former Forest boss led England Under-17s to victory at the 2017 World Cup and also spent two years at Swansea, leading them to the 2021 Championship play-off final, where they lost to Brentford.

Cooper’s first competitive game will come on August 19 when Leicester host Tottenham in the Premier League.

“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,” said Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.

“As a leader, he has the ability to build on the strong relationship that has been created between our fans and our team, strengthening a bond that will be vital to the club’s return to the Premier League.”

It promises to be a challenge, with a potential points deduction and a second charge for breaching profit and sustainability rules if the club does not comply by June 30. It means a potential sale of players before the end of the month.

Cooper knows how to do more than just a fire after his time at Forest, but he will need to bring his fire extinguisher with him to the King Power Stadium.

The former Swansea City boss has promoted unity at the City Ground and that is something that will be needed again in what could be a relegation battle, especially if Leicester start the season on points minus.

Despite winning the Championship and returning to the Premier League at the first attempt, there was never a complete buy-in to Maresca’s style from Foxes fans, but Cooper will be hoping to create that unity by returning to the top flight.

That might cancel out any minor animosity towards a former Nottingham Forest manager moving to the East Midlands.

Survival is the top priority next season and Cooper will need solidarity.