'Leicester player power' forced Steve Cooper sacking - O'Rourke
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'Leicester player power' forced Steve Cooper sacking - O'Rourke

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

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Steve Cooper failed to win over the players and fans at Leicester, making his position untenable, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O'Rourke revealed that the manager's inability to build a relationship with his players was the ultimate reason for his dismissal.

This comes after Football Insider revealed on 24 November that one leading player had described Cooper's tactics as "a disgrace" in discussion with the owners.

Sources say the player power is influential for the decision-making at the King Power Stadium and made a difference in the decision to sack Cooper despite on-field results.

Leicester have yet to dip into the relegation zone despite winning just two of their opening 12 games, but had also proved tough to beat, leading to questions over his dismissal.

However, it has now become clear that his relationship with the players proved detrimental to his position and gave the board no choice but to pull the trigger.

Leicester City players key to Steve Cooper dismissal

Cooper had been walking a thin tightrope since his arrival at the King Power and struggled to get fans on side as a result of his time at Nottingham Forest.

Following a heavy 3-0 defeat at home against his former club, many sections of the crowd began to turn on the manager, while several players are said to have followed suit.

As a result, his position quickly came under intense scrutiny, and Football Insider revealed that it took a late Jordan Ayew equaliser against Ipswich to save him from the sack earlier in the month.

Now, Ruud van Nistelrooy has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at the King Power and he has been tipped to forge strong relationships with the players.

Man United Leicester

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown, who knows the Dutchman well, insisted he should have no issue forming a positive rapport in the dressing room.

In other news, a major points deduction update has emerged from Leicester.

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