Wilfred Ndidi gets a new manager as Leicester City hire Steve Cooper

Wilfred Ndidi, should he decide to stay at Leicester City, will work under Steve Cooper next season after the club announced the appointment of the 44-year-old as their new head coach.

The Foxes have moved quickly to secure a replacement for Enzo Maresca following his departure to Chelsea at the start of June.

Ndidi regained his best form under Maresca last season and was one of the mainstays in the Italian’s starting line-up as Leicester City won the English Championship to earn promotion to the Premier League.

A statement from the newly promoted club on Thursday said Cooper, who previously managed Swansea City and Nottingham Forest, had put pen to paper on a three-year contract.

Wilfred Ndidi’s plight at Leicester City

Ndidi has spent six-and-a-half years at Leicester since joining from Genk in January 2017, helping the Foxes win the FA Cup, Community Shield and EFL Championship.

However, his current contract is set to expire at the end of June, meaning he could leave as a free agent if the club fail to agree a contract extension.

Earlier this month, Leicester announced their retained list for next season, with winger Marc Albrighton and Ndidi’s compatriot Kelechi Iheanacho among those released.

The Foxes, however, said they were still in talks with Ndidi to extend his stay at the King Power Stadium, in a statement that said: “The club continues to hold discussions with midfielder Wilfred Ndidi regarding his future following the expiry of his current contract this month . “

Ndidi will not be short of suitors if he decides not to extend his contract with Leicester.

The Nigerian international has been linked with several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Brentford and Aston Villa, as well as French club Olympique Lyon.

The 27-year-old scored six goals and provided six assists in 36 games in all competitions last season.