REPORT :Pep Guardiola has already told Leicester City why ‘exceptional’ manager should replace Steve Cooper

Although there are only six games left in the Premier League season, Steve Cooper’s time at Leicester City may already be running out.

   Leicester City have not won a league game since Steve Cooper replaced Enzo Maresco last summer and have three points from a possible 18 so far.

   It’s fair to say that Cooper’s first appointment was met with a mixed response given his links with rivals Nottingham Forest and a poor start to the season didn’t help.

   Leicester were unlucky not to equalize away to Arsenal on Saturday after coming back from 2-0 down to equalize before the Gunners grabbed all three points with two second-half stoppage-time goals.

   But in the week before that, Leicester fans’ frustration boiled over after a draw against relegation rivals Everton at home, before a 0-0 draw against League Two Walsall in the Carabao Cup.

   Leicester City should replace Steve Cooper with Graham Potter

   Next up for Leicester is home to Bournemouth before visiting newly promoted Southampton.

   These two games could decide Cooper’s fate and one manager Leicester will consider if they sack Cooper is Graham Potter.

   Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 and was a top target in the summer but the Foxes failed to convince the former Brighton boss to take over.

   With the threat of points being taken away apparently gone, Potter could be more tempted and is a manager who is certainly backed by Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

   Speaking about Potter in November 2022, when he was already under pressure at Chelsea, Guardiola said: “If Chelsea take my humble advice, give him time and he will be fine.

   “They got good results but the way they play, when I saw the game against Brighton that they lost, I saw a lot of things that I remember from his time at Brighton. But he needs time, everyone needs time.

   “No one is successful from day one or day two, I admire his work very much.

   “What he did at Brighton was beyond remarkable and I’m pretty sure he’ll do a good job eventually, I’ve no doubt.

   “From my point of view, he is one of the best coaches we have in this league.”

   Potter would increase Leicester City’s chances of survival

   Although he struggled at Chelsea, there is no doubt that Potter is truly a top manager.

   After gaining attention for his work over seven years at Östersund in Sweden, Cooper moved to Swansea City before really making a name for himself at Brighton.

   When the 44-year-old took over Brighton, they were just 17th, but when he left the Seagulls for Chelsea, they were fourth in the Premier League.

   Potter has real pedigree when it comes to improving players, as well as a reputation as one of the best tacticians in England in recent years, so if Leicester could convince him to take the job this time around, it would give the club a real chance of survival.