Steve Cooper Named Manager of Premier League Leicester City

Steve Cooper was sacked by Nottingham Forest last December but returns to the Premier League as Leicester manager. Paul ELLIS / AFP
Steve Cooper was sacked by Nottingham Forest last December but returns to the Premier League as Leicester manager. Paul ELLIS / AFP
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Steve Cooper Named Manager of Premier League Leicester City

Steve Cooper was sacked by Nottingham Forest last December but returns to the Premier League as Leicester manager. Paul ELLIS / AFP
Steve Cooper was sacked by Nottingham Forest last December but returns to the Premier League as Leicester manager. Paul ELLIS / AFP

Leicester City have appointed former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper as their new manager, the newly promoted Premier League club said on Thursday.
"Leicester City Football Club can today confirm the appointment of Steve Cooper as our new First Team Manager ahead of the 2024/25 Premier League season. Steve, 44, has agreed a three-year contract," the club said in a statement.
Cooper fills the vacuum left by Enzo Maresca, who left for the vacant post at Chelsea earlier this month, AFP said.
Maresca, 44, had steered 2016 Premier League champions Leicester back to the Premier League after just one season in the Championship.
"We are delighted to welcome Steve to Leicester City," said Leicester City Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha in a statement.
"His vision for the team, including his ability to develop players and implement a dynamic style of play, is very much aligned with our aspirations for the Club.
"As a leader, he has the ability to build on the strong relationship that has been forged between our fans and our team, strengthening a bond that will be vital to us re-establishing the Club in the Premier League."
Cooper guided Forest to promotion in 2022 but was fired in December 2023 with the club deep in relegation trouble. They eventually remained in the Premier League under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
"I am really excited and proud to be appointed Leicester City's First Team Manager," said Welshman Cooper.
"This is a fantastic club with a rich history and passionate supporters.
"I am excited to work with such a talented squad and I'm looking forward to the challenge of achieving our shared ambitions in the Premier League."



Álvarez Scores Late to Give Atletico Madrid 1-0 Win over Celta Vigo

Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS
Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS
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Álvarez Scores Late to Give Atletico Madrid 1-0 Win over Celta Vigo

Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS
Atletico's Julian Alvarez celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid, in Vigo, Spain, 26 September 2024. EPA/SALVADOR SAS

Atletico Madrid picked up momentum ahead of the derby against Real Madrid with a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo thanks to Julián Álvarez's 90th-minute winner Thursday in the Spanish league.
Álvarez poked home a cross by Antoine Griezmann to give Diego Simeone’s team the win in Vigo.
“What matters are the three points,” said Álvarez, Atletico's big-money offseason signing. “If it’s 1-0 or 5-0, what is important is to get the three points. We knew it was going to be a difficult match against Celta here.”
Atletico remains two points behind second-place Madrid going into Sunday’s match at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium. Both are chasing Barcelona, which has won its first seven league games this season.
Atletico struggled to create scoring opportunities until Griezmann curled a left-footed cross into the area. Álvarez ran between a couple of defenders to poke the ball into the net with his right foot, The Associated Press reported.
It was the 24-year-old Argentina forward's second goal since joining Atletico from Manchester City.
Celta, which has lost four of its last five matches, had come close to scoring several times, being stopped by yet another solid performance by goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Atletico was coming off a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano but had won its previous three games in all competitions.
After the derby at the Metropolitano, Simeone's team will visit Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Villarreal near the top Ayoze Pérez scored twice as Villarreal came from behind to win 2-1 at promoted Espanyol and stay near the top.
Pérez has scored six goals in seven matches, one fewer than the league's leading scorer, Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski.
It was the fourth win for Villarreal, whose only loss was a 5-1 rout at home against Barcelona in the previous round.
Spanish media said the referee of the match was hit by an object thrown from the stands while he left the field after the final whistle.
Las Palmas remains winless Last-place Las Palmas drew 1-1 with Real Betis to remain winless after seven rounds. It hasn't won in 21 straight league matches going back to last season, when it barely avoided relegation.
The hosts scored first with Alberto Moleiro in the ninth minute and 11th-place Betis — coming off two consecutive victories — equalized with Giovani Lo Celso in first-half stoppage time.
Getafe is the only other team without a league win this season.