‘Leicester players who got Steve Cooper sacked slammed as Van Nistelrooy fails’
Leicester City look destined for relegation from the Premier League and the players that influenced a managerial sacking have been blamed by Simon Jordan.
Following their promotion as Championship title winners, the Foxes were forced to change manager in the summer when Enzo Maresca left for Chelsea.
Former Swansea City and Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper was then brought in to take charge at the King Power Stadium.
However, the Welshman did not last long with Leicester before he was sacked, something Jordan believes is now contributing to their likely relegation from the top-flight, with the squad seemingly culpable in that.
Simon Jordan lays into Leicester City squad over Steve Cooper sacking
In the end, Cooper was sacked by the Foxes in late November last year in the wake of a 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea.
At the time of his departure, the club were 16th in the Premier League table, one point clear of the relegation zone.
Football Insider reported at the time that Cooper had been “savaged” by the Leicester squad to the club’s owners after that defeat to Chelsea.
It is understood that the influence of the players was a key factor in the departure of Cooper from Leicester.
In the wake of Cooper’s departure, it is Ruud van Nistelrooy who has stepped in to take charge of the Foxes, a move that has not gone at all well.
The club have badly struggled for results under the Dutchman, which has seen them slip to 19th in the Premier League table, five points from safety.
| Ruud van Nistelrooy games as Leicester manager | Total (as per Transfermarkt) |
| Played | 15 |
| Won | 3 |
| Drawn | 1 |
| Lost | 11 |
That has led to many Leicester fans blasting Van Nistelrooy over his form as the club’s manager, and Jordan has not held back over their players either.
Writing in the Daily Mail, the former Crystal Palace chairman said: “Leading voices in the Leicester City dressing room were instrumental from what I understand in driving a wedge between former boss Steve Cooper and the owners.
“The ownership took the direction of the players over their manager and have now got their ‘rewards’.
“Leicester are in a far worse position in the table and, barring an improbable turn of events, heading for relegation.”
Foxes players responsible if relegation happens in several ways
Football Insider Verdict
In truth, their have been a whole host of dreadful performances from this team across the course of the season.
So regardless of what part they might have played in Cooper’s sacking, the Leicester squad do have to take responsibility if the club do indeed go straight back down to the Championship.
The fact though that Van Nistelrooy has flopped so badly as manager means their part in getting Cooper sacked does have to come under scrutiny as well when it comes to the final review.
Even so, there were managerial options other than the Dutchman the board could have brought to the club, while they are also the ones responsible for putting the squad together as well.
With that in mind, while the Leicester squad have far from covered themselves in any glory this season, they are not the only ones who ought to be hanging their heads if their side do go down.