Leicester City Manager's Tactical Approach Under Scrutiny Ahead of New Season

Leicester City’s new manager, Steve Cooper, is set to bring a flexible tactical approach to the Premier League, drawing from his successful stint in the Championship where he led the team to a top finish with 97 points. Despite facing challenges mid-season, Cooper's adaptability in formations—shifting between back four and back three systems—has been a hallmark of his coaching style. Fans can expect a pragmatic strategy that balances possession-based football with a more practical approach when necessary. In recent matches, Cooper has experimented with various formations, including a 3-4-3 setup that proved effective in his previous roles. This tactical fluidity was evident in games against Shrewsbury Town and Palermo, where players like Luke Thomas and Ricardo Pereira showcased their versatility by shifting roles to create a dynamic midfield and attacking structure. This adaptability mirrors the previous manager's style but with a notable difference: Cooper is not relying on full-backs to transition into midfield. However, early results in pre-season have raised concerns, with the team suffering narrow defeats and failing to score in three consecutive matches. Cooper emphasized the need for his squad to demonstrate a stronger desire to find the back of the net, acknowledging that the team cannot afford to repeat such patterns in the upcoming season. The absence of key player Dewsbury-Hall, who significantly contributed to last season's attack, highlights the need for increased offensive output from the midfield to ensure Leicester's competitiveness in the Premier League.