LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 21 : Leicester City unveil the new manager Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium on June 21, 2024 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Steve Cooper should make former Nottingham Forest player his first Leicester City signing
Leicester City have confirmed their new manager as former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper and he could target a move for a former player he once called ‘integral’.
After Enzo Maresca left to join Chelsea, Leicester City‘s search for a new manager saw them end with two favourites in Graham Potter and Steve Cooper.
Ultimately, it was Cooper who was appointed as the new man in the King Power dugout this week, with the fact he managed rivals Nottingham Forest divisive amongst the fanbase.
However, Cooper has experience of keeping a newly-promoted side in the Premier League, having done so with Forest in the 2022/23 season before being sacked in December of last year.
Now, the 44-year-old could move for a player who was key under him at Forest before falling out of favour last season.
Steve Cooper should target Scott McKenna for Leicester City
Cooper took over at Forest in September 2021 with the club bottom of the Championship.
The Welshman oversaw a remarkable turnaround as he steered Forest up the table to an eventual play-off finish; the club winning promotion by beating Huddersfield Town in the final.
One player that was key to that journey was central defender Scott McKenna.
McKenna played all but one Championship game as Forest completed a fairytale transformation and remained a starter in Cooper’s defence in the first campaign in the Premier League.
The Scotland international made 20 appearances in the 2022/23 top flight season, with injuries the only reason it was not more.
Cooper spoke of how important McKenna was despite the defender’s mistake gifting Bournemouth a 3-2 win over Forest in September 2022, as he told Nottinghamshire Live: “There was a mistake from Scott for the third goal but that’s the first thing he’s done wrong since I came here.
“Scott has been and will remain an integral part of what we’re trying to do here.”
Leicester could sign McKenna for free this summer
Whilst McKenna was crucial to Cooper, he was surprisingly banished from the squad alongside former captain Joe Worrall towards the end of the manager’s time in charge.
The duo were not allowed to train with the first team and were told to arrive at the training ground at a different time to the squad.
The reason for this is not known but it is widely assumed it was a club move rather than that of Cooper’s own volition as they looked to move the pair on in January.
This may have left some bad blood between Cooper and McKenna, however the defender is now a free agent and needs a new home ahead of next season.
Given how important he was in the journey that Forest went on under Cooper, the opportunity to reunite and again be a key player for a Premier League side may see McKenna make the move.
This signing would make a lot of sense, especially given McKenna is now a free agent following the expiration of his Forest contract so would be a free signing in a summer where Leicester need to be very astute with their business.
