League Two side Scunthorpe United confirm the appointment of a new manager, four months on after sacking previously boss Paul Hurst.
The club finish 20th in the table which was based on points-per-game, but after picking up eight wins from 30 games and took just two points since beating Oldham 2-0 on New Year’s Day, the board made the decision to get rid.
Now they look ahead to the 2020/21 season, where they hope to drastically improve on the dismal finishing position of the campaign just gone.
✍️ Scunthorpe United is delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Cox as our new First Team Manager.
Link ? https://t.co/8Z3qWjKpzR#UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/oGi9rh3cbz
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) August 7, 2020
The new man to take the Iron forward has been named in former Scunthorpe, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Bolton, Cardiff and Crewe player Neil Cox.
The statement read: Scunthorpe United is delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Cox as our new First Team Manager.
The 48-year-old arrives from Notts County, where he was Assistant Manager to Neal Ardley. Hailing from the town, Cox is well known to Scunthorpe fans, having come through the ranks at the club. He made 26 appearances, scoring one goal, before a move to top-flight side Aston Villa in early 1991 for a fee of £400,000.
The former defender, who won caps as an England Under-21 international, went on to also play at the highest level for Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers and Watford before ending his playing career with Cardiff City, Crewe Alexandra and Leek Town. Cox made a total of 652 senior career appearances and scored 42 goals.
He started his coaching life with a management stint at Leek Town before a six-year spell as assistant to Neal Ardley at AFC Wimbledon. The duo then went on to manage Notts County.
Best wishes to @Neil__Cox at @SUFCOfficial! ? https://t.co/UPlbMEQ2X6
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) August 7, 2020
The National League club said: Our assistant manager, Neil Cox, has left us to become manager of League Two side Scunthorpe United.
Cox, who arrived at Meadow Lane alongside Neal Ardley in 2018, will be taking his first steps into professional management with his hometown club, who he represented as a player early in his career.
“Back in October 2012 I asked Coxy to come with me for the interview process at AFC Wimbledon,” said Ardley, who’s been friends with Cox for 28 years. “Since then we’ve had eight fantastic years in which, for the majority, we’ve overachieved.
“The undoubted highlight was our wonderful 2016 play-off final victory, which we were sadly unable to replicate last Sunday, and I’m sure all the positive and negative experiences we’ve shared will stand us in good stead for the future.
“Coxy has been a very loyal assistant manager and an excellent coach who has always had my back and given me everything. He deserves this opportunity and I couldn’t stand in his way.
“While I will miss working with him immensely I wish him the very best.”
Cox added: “I’d like to thank to Neal for everything he’s done for me in all our time working together.
“I’ve learned a lot alongside him and will miss working with him, Jason Turner and all our support staff, including everyone in the offices and around the stadium who have been brilliant.
“It’s a shame to be leaving on the back of a disappointing defeat at Wembley but, with the way the club’s being run by the owners, I can only see positive times ahead for Notts County.
“I’m sure it won’t be long before the supporters are able to enjoy some much-deserved success.”
NEIL COX’S PLAYING CAREER:
1990–1991 – Scunthorpe United – 17 games (1 goal)
1991–1994 – Aston Villa – 40 games (3 goals)
1994–1997 – Middlesbrough – 106 games (3 goals)
1997–1999 – Bolton Wanderers – 80 games (7 goals)
1999–2005 – Watford – 219 games (20 goals)
2005–2006 – Cardiff City – 27 games (2 goals)
2006–2008 – Crewe Alexandra – 58 games (1 goal)
2010–2011 – Leek Town – 4 games (0 goals)
Total – 551 games (37 goals)
NEIL COX’S MANAGERIAL CAREER:
2010–2011 Leek Town
2012–2018 AFC Wimbledon (assistant)
2018–2020 Notts County (assistant)
2020– Scunthorpe United
Fans reacted after Scunthorpe confirm the appointment of a new manager, fair to say plenty of Notts County fans were sad to see him go…
Cannot wait for the day the donny road end shout in unison for him to be sacked…???
In other news, cracking appointment!!
— Shaun (@ShaunSeaton6) August 7, 2020
Bloody fantastic!!!! Best news out of the club for an absolute age!!! Love it.
— Michael Marris (@ScunnyRazor) August 7, 2020
Well that’s abit shit for us notts fans, good luck coxy @Neil__Cox
— Luke Beardo (@Turkey_Twizzler) August 7, 2020
Cox in. Cox out. Shake it all about pic.twitter.com/tI0uOgmwpr
— WillWattamSUFC (@WillWattoom) August 7, 2020
Thanks for your efforts at Notts @Neil__Cox , good luck at Scunny & I hope we see you next year (meant positively not negatively)
— John Watson (@safetywatto) August 7, 2020
Fantastic appointment – fresh canvas and someone that will put bums on seats. Local connection as well please Mr Chairman give him time ??UTI can’t wait for the season to start I will be in for my season ticket ????
— Robert Jubber (@JubberRobert) August 7, 2020
Look after him
— isaac (@IP_2100) August 7, 2020
Love it coxy all the best mate
— Robert snodgrass (@robsnodgrass7) August 7, 2020
Relationship with the fans is refreshing to hear…
— Shaun (@ShaunSeaton6) August 7, 2020
Don’t heff this one up Mr Swann………. let HIM manage the team, recruitment and everything pitch side.
— Rob Richardson © (@badapple365) August 7, 2020
Fans and especially the chairman need to give this guy time and a chance to manage #uti
— martin drayton (@martin_mpd) August 7, 2020
bit of a blow for Notts but good luck to Neil Cox. Will miss his dulcet tones screeching from the touchline
— David Palmer (@davestillravin) August 7, 2020
All the best to Neil at Scunny. From meeting him, and seeing the way he conducts himself, I’m sure he’ll do a grand job there.
— Tim (@mrcuthers) August 7, 2020
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