Leicester stars partied hours before Steve Cooper sack as players 'miss Enzo Maresca'

Leicester City's squad were spotted hitting the town for a night out in Copenhagen just hours before Steve Cooper was sacked at the King Power Stadium.

The former Nottingham Forest manager was axed after only 12 matches in charge, with the defeat to Chelsea being the last straw for the club's top brass.

Danish stars Jannik Vestergaard and Victor Kristiansen were spotted among the revellers as footage emerged on Ekstra Bladet showing the players clearly pining for their old manager Enzo Maresca, who had steered them to promotion the previous season before departing for Chelsea.

Some players walked around holding up a screen which read "Enzo, I miss you." That is a stark indictment of Cooper's brief tenure, which saw him secure just two victories before his dismissal.

According to Mirror Football, Cooper's sacking was heavily influenced by an atmosphere of discontent within the squad, with numerous players doubting his ability to ensure Premier League survival despite his past success in keeping Nottingham Forest up.

This sentiment reportedly became apparent to the club's hierarchy, prompting them to cut ties with Cooper less than a third into the season.

Club chairman and owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, who attended the Chelsea fixture, was said to be aware of the internal dissatisfaction.

The 44-year-old manager failed to win the confidence of players and supporters alike, and even after some recent wins at the King Power Stadium, the atmosphere remained despondent.

The early favourites to fill the now vacant managerial role are ex-Chelsea gaffer Graham Potter, former Manchester United and West Ham manager David Moyes and West Brom's Carlos Corberan.

Former Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has also been linked to the position.

Leicester are eager to secure a swift replacement, in lieu of pivotal matches against Brentford and West Ham.

In an official announcement, the club expressed: "Leicester City Football Club has parted company with Steve Cooper, who leaves his position as First Team Manager with immediate effect.

"Assistant manager Alan Tate and first team coach and analyst Steve Rands have also left the club. Steve, Alan and Steve depart with our thanks for their contribution during their time with the Club and with our best wishes for the future."