‘Leicester boss to clear out squad and Jamie Vardy after Van Nistelrooy sack’
Leicester’s replacement manager has been backed to undertake a massive clear-out of a “viperous” dressing room this summer.
Following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on 23 November 2024, Leicester parted way with Steve Cooper.
The Foxes were sitting 16th in the Premier League table, having picked up 10 points from their first 12 matches.
Whilst Cooper’s side had picked up just two wins during that period, the Midlands side were in the mix to survive their return to England’s top tier.
Since his ousting, the Foxes have picked up just two more wins and eight more points from the following 21 games under caretaker boss Ben Dawson and the newly-appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Writing on his blog on Monday, 23 April, beIN Sports presenter Richard Keys highlighted the massive task that will need to be undertaken by whoever takes over at the King Power next season while taking aim at veteran striker Jamie Vardy.
Leicester’s new manager advised to clear-out dressing room ASAP
Having had their relegation to the Championship confirmed with a 1-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, 20 April, the Foxes clearly made a mistake sacking Cooper, according to Keys, with the presenter saying: “Jamie Vardy has described Leicester’s season as a [expletive]-show. In the article I read in The Mirror he blasted everybody.
“He’s got a point. What he didn’t do though was admit Leicester’s viperous dressing room might just have been wrong to turn on Steve Cooper.
“Cooper was sacked after just five months in charge at Leicester. He left them in 16th – two points above the drop zone.
“In his previous job, Cooper had performed miracles keeping Forest up in their first season back. He knew the course. He knew what was needed.
“So why was he sacked so quickly at Leicester? For one thing – he wanted to move a few ageing players on. Players who had literally run their race in a Leicester jersey.
“The more powerful elements in the Leicester dressing room were having none of that. So – once again – they flexed their muscles – called the owner – and let it be known ‘it’s us or him’.
“As we now know – it was him. Bad call. It never got any better under Van Nistelrooy, but at least he kept playing Vardy. Having been in charge of the ‘[expletive]-show’ Van Nistelrooy can’t survive. (Jon Rudkin should go as well).
“The new manager would be wise to clear the dressing room out as fast as possible. And I think we all know who should be the first to go.”
Leicester poorly positioned for return to Premier League
Football Insider Verdict
Whilst Southampton contain a squad full of saleable assets, such as Man City target Tyler Dibling, and Ipswich look set to retain the services of talented manager Kieran McKenna, Leicester are lacking in either department as they prepare for life back in the Championship.
The Foxes were relying on their ageing stars being able to provide enough quality to stay up in their maiden season back in the Premier League, before presumably then investing more in the following campaigns.
Whatever the plan was, hindsight shows just how short-sighted it was, and with little by the way of future-proofing, Leicester have a daunting overhaul to perform this summer, starting with finding a new manager.
| 2024/25 Premier League bottom three | Games played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goal difference | Points |
| 18. Ipswich | 33 | 4 | 9 | 20 | -38 | 21 |
| 19. Leicester | 33 | 4 | 6 | 23 | -46 | 18 |
| 20. Southampton | 33 | 2 | 5 | 26 | -54 | 11 |
What’s more, though, any sweeping changes will have to be done so on a limited budget. The Foxes avoided a points deduction this season, not that it would have changed the outcome of their campaign, but Leicester remain in arbitration with the Premier League after exploiting a PSR loophole.
Leicester suffered a £72million hit last season and after a rule change, the limit on losses allowed for Championship clubs following relegation from the Premier League has dropped to £13million a season.