Premier League

LEICESTER CITY’S players wore fancy dress as they partied in Copenhagen on the day Steve Cooper was sacked.Cooper, 44, lost his job on Sunday following the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea.Leicester City players partied in Copenhagen over the weekendCredit: XStars were filmed in a nightclub hours after the defeat to ChelseaCredit: ekstrabladet.dkSteve Cooper lost his job 157 days into his three-year contractCredit: PAHe left the Foxes 16th in the table with ten points from his 12 Premier League matches in charge after replacing Enzo Maresca in the summer.But just hours after losing at home to their former manager, a group of Leicester stars flew out to Denmark for their Christmas party.The pre-arranged trip was reportedly signed off by Cooper in advance – with the players given Sunday and Monday off before resuming training ahead of the weekend clash at Brentford. And they took full advantage with a night out in left-back Victor Kristiansen’s hometown.READ MORE ON LEICESTERIn a video shared by Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet, Harry Winks and Conor Coady were filmed partying in the Museo nightclub on Saturday evening, with reports claiming Kristiansen and fellow Dane Jannik Vestergaard were also in attendance.A sign was held up near the stars which read “Enzo I miss u” – seemingly in reference to the departure of now-Chelsea boss Maresca – and prompted laughter from the footballers.According to The Telegraph, Cooper fell out with Vestergaard, Winks and Hamza Choudhury during his ill-fated 157-day stint in charge at the King Power, with the former even being banished from training at one stage. Then in a photo that emerged on Monday morning, thought to be taken on Sunday, members of the squad in fancy dress in the bar area of the Villa Hotel. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWinks – who hobbled off after 11 minutes against Chelsea – was decked out as an Oompa Loompa.Danish Goalkeeper Daniel Iversen dressed up as Bob the Builder while Kasey McAteer opted to go as Laa-Laa, the yellow Tellytubby.Leicester brutally troll Leeds with iconic song after winning promotion as Whites left ‘well and truly rattled’Conor Coady and Harry Winks enjoyed their night out in the Danish capitalCredit: ekstrabladet.dkThe midfielder limped off injured against the BluesCredit: ekstrabladet.dkA sign reading ‘Enzo I miss u’ prompted laughter on the night outCredit: ekstrabladet.dkCaleb Okoli and Stephy Mavididi were among the first-team players in the photo – while others were well disguised as characters including Iron Man, the Joker and Mario. The Leicester stars had several drinks on the table including Coca-Cola and Sprite bottles as well as a can of Jamie Vardy’s favourite Red Bull.This is not the first time Foxes players have travelled to Copenhagen to let their hair down ahead of the busy festive period.In 2015, the squad headed over for the team-bonding trip with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman, Spiderman and Mr Incredible all in attendance.And it worked a treat for the Foxes as they came back and stormed their way to the unbelievable 5,000-1 Premier League title. Leicester went to Copenhagen in 2015 during their title-winning seasonCredit: InstagramBut while nine years ago they headed to Copenhagen riding the wave of their red-hot form under Claudio Ranieri, this time around the squad will return to the East Midlands not knowing who will be their next manager. Ruud van Nistelrooy is among the early favourites following his successful stint as interim Manchester United boss – which included two wins over Leicester.READ MORE SUN STORIESGraham Potter and David Moyes are also in the frame to take over from Cooper, who struggled to win over the fanbase due to his lack of clear tactics and strong Nottingham Forest connections. After Saturday’s visit to the Gtech Community Stadium, Leicester face West Ham, Brighton, Newcastle and Wolves before a tricky festive fixture list of Liverpool away, Manchester City at home then Aston Villa away. More

GARY LINEKER has named his choice to become the next Leicester manager.Steve Cooper was sacked by The Foxes on Sunday after just five months and 12 games in charge of the club.Gary Lineker has named who he wants to become the next Leicester managerCredit: GettySteve Cooper was sacked on Sunday after just 12 games in chargeCredit: ReutersIt came in the wake of a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea – who are coached by former manager Enzo Maresca.Footage has since emerged of the Leicester players on their Christmas party in Copenhagen over the weekend with a sign reading “Enzo I miss you” near the group – which included Conor Coady and Harry Winks.Leicester remain outside the relegation zone in 16th place despite a run of four games without a win.Ex-Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter is one name being touted to take over from Cooper.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDavid Moyes and Ruud van Nistelrooy are also understood to be in the frame.But Lineker, who came through as a player at Leicester and has supported the club all his life, believes the 2016 Premier League champions should go for England U21s head coach Lee Carsley. Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker analysed Leicester’s options, saying: “I’ve got no insight on who might come in and take his place now.”I’d be almost astonished if they haven’t got someone in mind because just to do that on a whim and suddenly think ‘who are we gonna get’.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLineker wants England U21s coach Lee Carsley to succeed CooperCredit: Getty”The first rumour I heard was David Moyes which would certainly be I think a safe pair of hands.”He’s been around the block and I think that would be a safe appointment.Watch Alan Shearer’s cheeky pitch to be new Match of the Day host in first show since Gary Lineker exit confirmed”I think if you look elsewhere, maybe someone like [Graham] Potter possibly, he’s been doing the media rounds which suggests he wants to get back in the game as soon as he possibly can.”Lineker then went on to add: “I’d go with Lee Carsley.”I think he’s really got something and I think there’s a little bit of a reluctance in the Premier League opposed to perhaps other leagues and with possible exceptions Brentford and Brighton who’ve brought in young managers that they think have got something about them.”They’ve got a coaching ability that I think is there and you take a bit of a punt.”Now it’s difficult with a club who are obviously going to be fighting relegation, it’ll be a tough first managerial job in terms of a club size for someone like Carsley.”Carsley became interim boss of the England senior side following the departure of Gareth Southgate after the Euros.Thomas Tuchel has now been named the permanent successor after Carsley won five of his six games in charge.And Lineker has been impressed with the ex-Everton midfielder – who led the U21s to Euros glory last year.He said: “The way England players responded to him, you can tell they respected him as a coach and thought he had good ideas.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We thought he was really imaginative and brave.”So if it was down to me, which it categorically is not, I would possibly think of someone like that if they don’t go down the tried and trusted experience route of someone like David Moyes.” More

MANCHESTER CITY’S recent collapse has coincided with the absence of their key talisman.But just what do the stats say about the importance of Rodri?Rodri’s immense impact on Manchester City is undeniableCredit: GettyThe midfielder won the Ballon d’Or for his performances for club and countryCredit: GettyThe star man will miss the rest of the season after knee surgery in a massive blowCredit: ReutersPep Guardiola is trying to figure out how to win without his key manCredit: PAThe Spanish midfielder, 28, was agonisingly ruled out for the season after injuring his ACL against Arsenal in September. The damage required surgery and the lengthy recovery will keep him out of action until the 2025-26 campaign. And that means he will have to relinquish the Ballon d’Or trophy he collected in Paris last month as he was crowned the best footballer on the planet thanks to his exploits for City and Spain. Asked about being the world’s best footballer, Madrid-born Rodri told Esquire: “It’s hard to explain and when you put it in those words, it’s even more astonishing, it’s scary. I never thought about it. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”Life surprises you and it’s an example that dreams can come true.”Never looking beyond, but living day by day, trying to grow… in the end you realise that a boy like me, from a normal neighbourhood, can become the best in the world.”The midfield metronome’s spell on the sidelines is being felt harder than even the most devout Rodri fans and Pep Guardiola could have expected.City limped to a 1-1 draw with Newcastle and – after unconvincing one-goal wins against the likes of Fulham, Wolves and Southampton – have lost their last five matches in all competitions.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe nightmare run started at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Carabao Cup before Bournemouth secured a 2-1 win on the south coast.Ruben Amorim’s Sporting stuffed City 4-1 in the Champions League and then Brighton won 2-1 at the Amex.Meet Man City’s Nico O’Reilly: Rodri’s heir?Then on Saturday, Spurs thumped Guardiola’s men 4-0 in a jaw-dropping result. And that result added further clout to the reliance on Rodri’s role in the team.This season, Rodri has featured in just three matches – coming on at half-time in the 2-1 win over Brentford, the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan and then went off after 21 minutes after sustaining the horror knee injury against Arsenal. It means he has missed 16 of City’s matches this season – and they have won nine, drawn two and lost five of those at a win rate of 56 per cent.But looking back to the start of the 2022-23 Treble-winning season, when the Rodri Rolls-Royce truly started rolling at new levels, the stats laid bare make for astonishing reading. From February 12, 2023 to May 19, 2024, Rodri was unbeaten for Manchester City – a staggering 74-match streak that was finally ended by rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley.Of course, he scored some hugely important goals in that time, too – including against Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on their way to lifting the Champions League then versus West Ham on the final day of last season to clinch yet another Premier League crown. Across all competitions, Rodri has started 103 times for City in that time.Of those matches, City have won 75, drawn 23 and lost just five.They average 2.5 goals scored and 0.8 goals conceded with a win rate of 73 per cent and a loss percentage of just five.However, of the 35 matches he has not started across the same period, City have lost 11 – more than double despite a sample approximately a third of the size – as the loss rate soars to 31 per cent. The 35 matches also feature 22 wins and two draws as the win rate falls to 63 per cent.City also score fewer (2.3 goals per game) and concede more (1.2 goals per game) when Rodri does not start. And the Premier League figures within that time tell a similar story with the win rate dropping from 75 per cent to 58 per cent – while the loss rate jumps from six per cent with Rodri to 37 per cent without. The goals scored tally takes an even bigger hit, too, from 2.6 per game to just 1.8. And the points per game rate is a staggering 2.4 with Rodri and 1.8 without. All in all, the facts are clear.City suffer without Rodri and lose six times more matches when he is not in the starting XI.Guardiola is reluctant to make sweeping changes – backing up his stance with a trophy cabinet overflowing with medals. Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash with Feyenoord, he said: “What should I change? What should I change? “If I had changed in my first season when I was asked to change we would not have won six Premier Leagues in seven years.”Now I’m not going to change. We are big believers in the process and the fundamentals we have to do. “Injured players have to come back to their best form, players who have played a lot of minutes because of the injuries need rest, one good result can change our mind.”When we were winning a lot I was thinking this too shall pass and right now this too shall pass. Nothing is eternal. “What we have to do is insist. 26 [shots] is not enough? Create more, and try to concede fewer. READ MORE SUN STORIES”One day we’re going to win a game and our mind will be clear. I hope Tuesday, if not Sunday. The desire is there and we are going to try.”But with Rodri not coming back into the team anytime soon, Guardiola needs to figure out his midfield minefield – and figure it out fast – to get back to winning ways consistently before the season completely collapses. Rodri scored the winning goal in the 2023 Champions League finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunThe Spanish star injured his ACL against Arsenal in SeptemberCredit: ReutersCity are feeling the effects of his absenceCredit: Getty More

ROY KEANE’S heated exchange with an Ipswich Town supporter was sparked by an issue that dates back over 10 years, according to a witness.The 53-year-old was filmed confronting the fan after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with the Tractor Boys at Portman Road on Sunday.Roy Keane got into an altercation with a fan following Man Utd’s 1-1 draw with IpswichIn one of the videos he could be heard saying: “I’ll wait for you in the car park.”Keane previously managed Ipswich for 21 months from 2009 to 2011 while they were in the Championship.And his behaviour during that time allegedly sparked the argument between the Irishman and a fan at the weekend.Neil Finbow, who witnessed the incident unfold by the sidelines, has suggested the supporter in question voiced his frustration over Keane’s behaviour towards his children years ago.Read More in FootballThe instigator apparently claimed that Keane had been rude and denied them autographs during his managerial tenure.Finbow told the Daily Mail: “The argument all stemmed from an issue with his children. The fan’s issue was about getting autographs back in the day when he was the manager here. The guy was basically saying Roy Keane ruled with fear. “You could see him pointing to the car park because that is where the autographs were done, and that’s where he had the issue with Roy all those years ago. So, it makes sense they were pointing over there.”He went on to say that Keane’s car park comment was likely misinterpreted, adding: “What Roy said back could have been misconstrued.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”He might have wanted to talk in the car park as that’s where it all happened.”It’s hard to tell. But yeah, he could have meant ‘I’ll talk to you in the car park,’ but it came across as if he was inviting him out [for a fight].” ‘If he wants to pay’- Roy Keane accepts Ruben Amorim’s offer to meet Man Utd legend live on TVFinbow also admitted he was surprised by the lack of security while the altercation was taking place.He continued: “There was no security or anything, which I was surprised about. Roy was directing his comments towards the fan who had the big issue because of his kids. There were a few choice words said about that.”The situation eventually calmed down before stewards told the fans to move on.Meanwhile, Keane resumed his punditry duties on the Sky Sports panel. More