Mansfield Town have today confirmed that they have rejected an approach from Swindon Town to speak to manager Steve Evans. Swindon, who will also be in Sky Bet League Two next season, are on the lookout for a new manager and had identified Evans as the number one target.
Stags chairman John Radford has also revealed his reasoning for turning down this approach, also highlighting that Evans is fully committed to try and help get the club into Sky Bet League One as soon as possible. Evans has also managed Leeds United, Rotherham United and Crawley Town in recent years.
The Robins are looking for a successor to Luke Williams, who left after relegation was confirmed. Today, the club confirmed that Ross Embleton has left his role as first team coach, as they make plans for next season.
Evans has already been making signings for Mansfield ahead of next season, and Radford said that he refused outright Swindon the chance to speak to him,
“Steve is fully committed to Mansfield Town Football Club and we will allow for no distractions as we set about out work to mount a serious promotion challenge in 2017-18.
“I have refused Swindon Town permission to talk to our manager, who is under contract at One Call Stadium, and work continues behind the scenes at our club as we put together a squad which we believe will be highly competitive in Sky Bet League Two next season.
“Steve has my full backing ahead of next season as we aim to fulfil our dreams of a town and its people.”
Evans recently became the short-priced favourite to become the next manager at the County Ground. However this setback means that chairman Lee Power will need to focus his energies elsewhere.
