Steve Cooper holds talks over Premier League return six months after Nottingham Forest sacking
Steve Cooper is emerging as one of the leading candidates to become Leicester's new manager, talkSPORT understands.
Cooper has been out of work since he was sacked by Nottingham Forest in December.
Leicester have held initial talks with the Welshman to replace Enzo Maresca, who was recently announced as new Chelsea manager.
The Foxes are preparing for life in the Premier League after sealing an immediate return to the top flight by winning the championship title last season.
West Brom's Carlos Corberán was widely considered the leading candidate for the vacant role, but the compensation package he needed could well be a hurdle.
Cooper's potential appointment would prove divisive for Foxes fans, given his links to Leicester's East Midlands rivals.
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Additionally, there will be questions about how his style of play translates to a team trained in the art of possession with Maresca.
Cooper was largely pragmatic during his tenure at Forest. In the first days after his promotion to the first divisionHis team tried to press high and aggressively, but soon adapted tactics after a series of mediocre results.
It is this adaptability that will most interest Leicester, who will no doubt have studied his time in charge of Swansea. In Wales, Cooper adopted a much more possession-based style.
Midfielder Matty Grimes was probably the best example of this, dropping deep to play short, quick passes with the defense before attempting to advance the ball, a very similar role to the one Maresca had Harry Winks play last season.
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This fluidity in Cooper's management is sure to appeal to the Leicester hierarchy, who are well aware that they will not be able to dominate games in the same way they did in the Championship.
Furthermore, the club's imminent points reduction has made the search for a new coach even more difficult.
Cooper's experience, not only in the top flight but also in the championship, could prove decisive, as the club will have to prepare in the long term for all eventualities.
