Chesterfield reveal their new manager – leaving fans surprised

Chesterfield have chosen to reveal Paul Cook as their new manager and his return to the club has been been leaving fans surprised.

Cook, who guided the Spireites to the League Two title and the League One play-offs during his previous spell, will be assisted by Danny Webb.

Paul Cook returning to the Derbyshire outfit as manager is being described as a ‘real coup’ as they look to continue their charge for promotion back to the EFL.

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: Paul Cook returns as Chesterfield manager.

Cook, who guided the Spireites to the League Two title and the League One play-offs during his previous spell, will be assisted by Danny Webb.

Read all about it now 👇

— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) February 10, 2022

So…

Pete Wild accepted the Spireites job, then Halifax offered him more money to stay.

Paul Cook is keeping Danny Webb.

Gary Roberts is also returning to Chesterfield as part of the coaching setup.

PC has huge promotion bonus built into contract.

— Joshua Smith (@SmithJournalist) February 10, 2022

CLUB STATEMENT:

Paul Cook’s return to Chesterfield as manager, seven years after leaving the club, has been confirmed.

Cook, who guided the Spireites to the League Two title and the League One play-offs during his previous spell, will be assisted by Danny Webb.

Chief executive John Croot said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul back to the club. He enjoyed great success here previously and to secure someone with his impressive track record is a real coup.

“Paul was our number one target when we began our search for a new manager and we are sure that our supporters will share our delight that he has agreed to take the role.

“Danny Webb is looking forward to working with Paul as part of the new management team.”

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Cook’s first game back at the Technique Stadium will be a week on Saturday against Solihull Moors, the first of five consecutive matches on home soil.

Weeks ago, it was believed that the 54-year-old, who achieved great success at the Spireites in his previous spell at the National League club between 2012 and 2015, was very interested in coming back after leaving almost seven years ago.

His last job at Ipswich Town ended in December after he was given the boot following nine months in charge.

The situation with Rowe, who was suspended last week over misconduct allegations, is still very quiet, with police unwilling to reveal if there are investigating the matter. Though he has stepped down form the role after talks with the club.

PAUL COOK’S PLAYING CAREER:

1983–1984 – Marine
1984–1988 – Wigan Athletic – 83 games (14 goals)
1988–1989 – Norwich City – 6 games (0 goals)
1989–1994 – Wolverhampton Wanderers – 193 games (19 goals)
1994–1996 – Coventry City – 37 games (3 goals)
1996–1997 – Tranmere Rovers – 60 games (4 goals)
1997–1999 – Stockport County – 49 games (3 goals)
1999 → Burnley (loan) – 12 games (1 goal)
1999–2003 – Burnley – 135 games (11 goals)
2001–2002 → Wigan Athletic (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
2003–2006 – Accrington Stanley – 62 games (1 goal)
Total – 643 games (56 goals)

👀🍪 #Spireites pic.twitter.com/QZgOqLkUa4

— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) February 10, 2022

MANAGERIAL CAREER:

Southport – 13 June 2006 until 3 January 2007 – 28 games, 5 wins, 8 draws, 15 defeats, 17.9 win %
Sligo Rovers – 27 April 2007 until 13 February 2012 – 203 games, 95 wins, 52 draws, 56 defeats, 46.8 win %
Accrington Stanley – 13 February 2012 until 25 October 2012 – 33 games, 8 wins, 7 draws, 18 defeats, 24.2 win %
Chesterfield – 25 October 2012 until 12 May 2015 – 145 games, 65 wins, 36 draws, 44 defeats, 44.8 win %
Portsmouth – 12 May 2015 until 31 May 2017 – 107 games, 52 wins, 27 draws, 28 defeats, 48.6 win %
Wigan Athletic – 31 May 2017 until 29 July 2020 – 155 games, 64 wins, 41 draws, 50 defeats, 41.3 win %
Ipswich Town – 2 March 2021 until 4 December 2021 – 44 games, 13 wins, 17 draws, 14 defeats, 29.5 win %
Total – 715 games, 302 wins, 188 draws, 225 defeats, 42.2 win %

As mentioned, Chesterfield reveal their new manager in Paul Cook – leaving some fans surprised…

@lukeCFC25: Unbelievable. Never would have thought this would happen

@robcfcelliott70: Trust, you’ve done it again. This will be the only day in my 36 year career I’ve been caught drinking at work. Not only is the king back, you made sure Webb remained part of the structure. Master stroke and one of the most significant days in our long history. Thank you!

@janejackson18: Blimey I never imagined this would ever happen. @JohnCroot1 and the community trust are amazing

@ShelBrown_: Best outcome of all scenarios. Welcome back Paul. Massive thank you to Danny Webb as well, fantastic leadership & genuinely nice guy. Looking forward to see where we go from here.

@MarcusClayson: Cracking appointment that

@chazpoppy: Fair play to the board, great appointment, welcome back P.C

@conorloftus: I’m so happy I could cry

@StuartWiddowson: Think I might just EXPLODE

@rrspur: Returning managers is usually something to be wary of but this is wonderful positive news. Management, don’t cock it up this time.

@smit112: Blimey, what an appointment

@petehallcfc: Woooooooooo fuckin hooooooooooo

@jakeharrison22: Buzzing for this. Absolutely over the moon that Danny Webb is staying also

@ash_cfc89: Getting in the van.. pot noodle & a wank! HMS piss the league back on!

@JoshRainer8: Well this shows how attractive Walsall job is

@riobeare: That’s an unreal appointment, should be league 1 minimum

@loodofsquit: Agent Cook destroys Ipswich and then returns to the spireites. Good luck Paul

@alexcmfc: The National League might be one of the most bar-belled divisions I’ve ever seen. 6 or 7 teams have league players, managers, facilities etc.

@SouthendHub1906: What an appointment that is. Comes with some risky for Cook but for him to drop to National League but fair play to Chesterfield for getting him, shows how much this league is progressing. Will certainly be an interesting title race now…

@lawseyitfc: Imagine thinking this would happen in July or even a year ago when he hadn’t even come here yet! Good luck to him #ITFC

@BlueShefford: Hope he does well. Case of wrong time, wrong place for Cook at Ipswich. Evans appointing him so close to selling the club did neither club nor manager any favours. #itfc

@WillB_2003: This league doesn’t get any easier does it…….

@danbrown130989: A manager that gave the club some of its best moments and unbelievable football in the Football League! Welcome back Cookie!

@ash_grayson94: Would have taken him at donny tbh #drfc

@brfctom: Fair play that’s unbelievable

@ROldfieldDesign: Mad appointment for non league this

@Greggoo17: Some fall from grace that Jesus

@gavp77: Great signing for the #Spireites. What a way to bounce back from a tough period for the club.

@_KieranBleaz: Watch him absolutely piss that league and guide them to the League Two title next season.

@stellainchessy: Xmas is early this year

@clarkecfc97: Beer o’clock

@olliereith: He’s here and he’s beautiful

@stephenkerry10: Tahn are going up

@Juan_Catorce: Massive appointment for Chessy. Hopefully he does as well 2nd time round as he did first time and get back to the football league

@Alexosb80120300: Nice to see Cooky back in the management game. Really hope it works out for him because he is a top man. Morsy isn’t going anywhere!! #itfc #ChesterfieldFC

@HarryWitham_: What a fucking appointment this is. Get us out this shithole league ASAP

@Jonny_Bray: What a time to be alive

@LondonSpireites: PAUL COOKS BARMY ARMY 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️🔵⚪️

@jabzcfc: Webb staying on get in