Who Will Replace Cox At Mansfield?

Mansfield Town`s Paul Cox became the latest managerial casualty of the football season yesterday, departing the League Two club after three and a half years at the helm. The former Eastwood boss oversaw the Stags` promotion back to the Football League (2012-13) but now leaves the Field Mill outfit floundering in 19th position and seven points from the dreaded drop zone.

Chairman John Radford will be looking for a quick appointment with the side under the caretaker management of Adam Murray ahead of the team`s clash with Plymouth Argyle this afternoon (22nd November, 15:00). The club`s Fans have been quick to submit their own suggestions as to who should succeed Cox and we have considered their preferences along with the current bookmakers` odds to bring you a comprehensive list of where the Mansfield top brass should be looking.

Long-time playing servant and current caretaker Murray unsurprisingly tops the next Stags manager market. The journeyman midfielder settled in the Midlands after joining on loan from Luton in 2010. Birmingham-born Murray made the transfer permanent and quickly became a fans favourite, racking up over 100 appearance in his many years at the club.

Murray supplemented his playing career by becoming the side`s assistant manager following the departure of Micky Moore in the June of 2012. A short-term switch, Moore was re-appointed less than a year later.

Thirty-three-year-old Murray is the 11/10 (Skybet) favourite to scoop the role.

Of all the outside candidates, perhaps the best man for the job is someone like James Beattie who is best-priced 14/1 with Skybet.

Beattie won many plaudits as manager of similarly-sized League Two side Accrington Stanley, saving them from relegation despite a turbulent start in his first season in charge (2013-14). The former England International striker left Stanley just a couple of months ago and has since been linked to a number of high-profile vacancies including with League Two high-flyers Burton Albion.

The 36 year old`s connections in the game would make him a valuable asset to Mansfield and would be better suited to the club than, say, a than a club with promotion ambitions thanks to his experience in the North West.

Also with survival experience is three-time Tranmere man Ronnie Moore. The 61 year old, who was also twice promoted as manager of Rotherham, is looking for employment after being dismissed by Rovers following alleged breaches in betting rules.

Moore steered the club away from League One relegation during his third stint in charge, taking over the reins from ex-physiotherapist Les Parry in 2011-12. The Birkenhead club continued to improved under the Liverpudlian and finished 11th the following season, only for them to succumb to the drop following the boss` sacking.

Both Betivctor and Skybet are offering 20/1 on Moore being appointed Mansfield`s man of choice.

Perhaps a more conservative selection would be Steve Burr. The current Chester manager is yet to helm a Football League side but would be able to put together a squad ready-made for promotion should the East Midlanders find themselves in the bottom two come May.

Burr is performing well at Chester, a side who found themselves in the drop zone last season before eventually being saved by the demotion of Hereford United. His team are 14th and eight points from the play-offs where he would regularly finish with his ex-Kidderminster Harriers side.

The Scot is 20/1 with Skybet to join the Stags.

Other names to consider include former Portsmouth boss Richie Barker, who is available at 16/1 with Skybet and Colin Calderwood, best known for being Chris Houghton`s go-to assistant. The 49 year old is 16/1 with Betvictor to scoop the role.

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22/11/2014     © Frixo 2024