Mark Cooper, who left his role as manager of League Two side Notts County on Saturday, has today been unveiled as the new boss of National League side Forest Green Rovers. He won’t officially take charge until next season, with caretaker Scott Bartlett leading the club into the play-off final against Grimsby Town on Sunday.
It was only a few years ago that Mark Cooper was one game away from the Championship whilst in charge of Swindon Town, where they went down to a League One play-off final defeat to Preston North End. He left his role with the club earlier this season.
It was largely an unsuccessful time at the helm with the Meadow Lane club following his appointment in March. He was handed a short-term deal after Jamie Fullarton was dismissed from his position by Ray Traw.
Upon his appointment at Notts County, Trew revealed to the BBC that Cooper was set a points target. If he passed that number, then he would trigger a longer-term deal. Whilst with the Magpies, he collected eleven points out of a possible 30, winning just three of ten games.
Nevertheless, Cooper is looking to the future and is expected to be linking up with a club on the up,
“I’m excited to be joining a club with a clear aim and strategy on where it wants to go and how it wants to get there.
“There are not many opportunities to join a club that has that foresight – a lot of clubs are run day to day and don’t plan for the future.
“These clubs may be bigger clubs in stature, but this is a big club in the way it is looking forward.”
Should Forest Green prevail against Grimsby on Sunday, then Cooper will be facing former club Notts County in League Two next season.
