Graham Potter’s move to Leicester plunged into doubt opening door for Steve Cooper to become manager

GRAHAM POTTER’S Leicester appointment is close to collapsing after a breakdown in talks.

The former Chelsea manager had agreed terms with the Foxes this week and was discussing backroom staff appointments.

However, despite confidence from both parties that a formal agreement was close, doubts emerged overnight and the newly-promoted side have re-opened talks with Steve Cooper.

The former manager of Leicester’s rivals, Nottingham Forest, held talks with the club earlier in the summer but Potter had emerged as favourite to replace Enzo Maresca.

Talks with the 49-year-old had dragged, leading to frustration from the Leicester ownership, who are now discussing terms with Cooper.

The ex-Swansea and England youth manager has been out of work since being sacked by Forest in December.

Cooper took the City Ground club from the bottom of the Championship to the Premier League and kept them up in his first season before being replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo last term.

Potter has turned down a number of jobs since being sacked by Chelsea in April last year.

The former Brighton boss was considered by his old club to replace Roberto De Zerbi while he also came close to taking the Ajax job before pulling out of talks.

Leicester had also met with West Brom boss Carlos Corberan for talks.

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Whoever takes the post as Maresca’s replacement will face concerns over financial regulations.

The Foxes are facing a potential points deduction following a previous breach of profit and sustainability rules, meaning they may need to sell top players to balance the books.

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Academy graduate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a target for Brighton, who had a bid for the midfielder rejected in January.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk