“Steve Cooper’s Controversial Move at Nottingham Forest That Alarmed Leicester City Owners Before His Sacking”
Steve Cooper’s time at Leicester City has come to an end, but one action he took during his tenure at Nottingham Forest has raised eyebrows among the club’s owners. Earlier this season, when Nottingham Forest traveled to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester, it was Cooper’s side that left with all three points. However, it turns out that this victory—and a key decision made during his time at Forest—didn’t sit well with Leicester’s hierarchy, and it may have played a role in his eventual sacking.
“Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest Move That Raised Eyebrows at Leicester City”
During Nottingham Forest’s win over Leicester City earlier this season, Forest fans were heard chanting that Steve Cooper “hates Leicester,” a sentiment fueled by the Reds’ dominant scoreline at the time. While the rivalry between the two clubs isn’t the most high-profile, it’s clear there’s a sense of competition simmering beneath the surface.
However, it wasn’t just the chants or the scoreline that caught the attention of Leicester’s owners. There was something Cooper used to do at Forest that raised serious concerns within the Leicester hierarchy, and it may have been one of the factors leading to his eventual sacking.
“Leicester City Owners Concerned Over Steve Cooper’s Clashes with PGMOL Before Sacking”
Leicester City’s owners were reportedly troubled by Steve Cooper’s ongoing disputes with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) during his time at Nottingham Forest. Cooper, known for his passionate defense of his team, made headlines for taking on PGMOL in March 2023. He wrote a letter addressing what he perceived as injustices in previous matches, defending Forest’s position.
More recently, Cooper expressed his frustration with referee Andy Madley’s performance during a match against Chelsea, criticizing the officiating publicly. These confrontations with refereeing bodies appeared to be a growing concern for the Leicester hierarchy, with some believing that such behavior reflected poorly on the club and contributed to the decision to part ways with Cooper.
“Leicester City Owners Worried About Steve Cooper’s Tensions with PGMOL Before His Sacking”
Leicester City’s owners grew increasingly concerned about Steve Cooper’s tendency to publicly challenge Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), a behavior that seemed to clash with their priorities. According to The Athletic, there was rising unease at board level over Cooper’s frequent confrontations with refereeing bodies.
This became a particularly sensitive issue following Leicester’s controversial PSR ruling, where the club had won a key decision from the authorities. The Leicester hierarchy was cautious about creating further tensions with the governing bodies, fearing that Cooper’s outspoken criticisms of officials could risk alienating the very authorities they had just successfully navigated. Ultimately, these concerns, alongside other factors, contributed to Cooper’s departure from the club.
“Nottingham Forest’s PSR Victory and Its Impact on Leicester City’s Concerns Over Steve Cooper”
Nottingham Forest’s successful negotiation over their potential points deduction for Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) drew significant attention, particularly from well-known barrister Nick de Marco, who highlighted how the club managed to reduce the penalty. Originally, Forest faced a hefty 8-point deduction, but their cooperation and strategic legal maneuvering resulted in a reduction to just 4 points—a much more manageable figure. According to Nottingham Post, de Marco praised Forest for their efforts, stating that their actions likely prevented a far worse outcome.
While this was seen as a victory for Forest, the legal victory in this case raised concerns elsewhere, particularly within Leicester City’s hierarchy. Having recently won their own controversial PSR ruling, the Leicester owners were cautious about appearing too close to any future disputes or legal battles involving the authorities. With Steve Cooper’s history of challenging officials and the PGMOL, Leicester’s board feared further potential conflicts with governing bodies, which may have contributed to their decision to part ways with the manager.