Boss Evans reaffirms commitment to Stags after Swindon speculation

Mansfield Town boss Steve Evans has made it clear he is going nowhere after speculation linking him with the vacant Swindon Town job.
Mansfield Town's Manager Steve Evans with his assistant Paul Raynor - Photo by Chris HollowayMansfield Town's Manager Steve Evans with his assistant Paul Raynor - Photo by Chris Holloway
Mansfield Town's Manager Steve Evans with his assistant Paul Raynor - Photo by Chris Holloway

Evans had remained tight-lipped throughout a week of frenzied speculation, but after making three more summer signings yesterday broke that silence to reaffirm his commitment to the Stags.

“Of course, in the last 24 to 48 hours, there has been much speculation about a move away from the One Call Stadium,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But I would like to make clear that I am a manager who doesn’t read newspaper reports or base anything on speculation.

“Yesterday was the first time that my chairman spoke to me, saying that they had an approach from the people at Swindon Town.”

Evans admitted it was always flattering to be linked with another job.

“As a manager and a football man, you are always honoured when you have an approach from another team, whether you are a manager or a player, because it perhaps signals that a good job is being done and people recognise what you can do for them,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The reality of it all is that the chairman and chief executive made it very clear to me in my conversations with them that they were not going to sanction any approach for me to be involved in any discussions because they have brought me in to make a big difference to their football club.

“I have always respected every chairman I worked for. I have always shook hands on things agreed and unless a chairman moves the goalposts, I have always been very very loyal.

“So from my point of view it is business as normal.”

Mansfield’s team-building certainly went into over drive yesterday with the signings of Jimmy Spencer, Paul Digby and Paul Anderson, which took Evans’ new faces to five in less than week.

“It’s been a real hectic time since we left the last game of the season behind,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Some tough and big decisions have been made with regards to the squad as well as putting together our targets for the new season.

“We have made three signings today, which includes two quality midfield players and a striker.

“I don’t want to say much about those three, or any future signings. I want to let the players come in and let their talking be done by their performances on the pitch.

“We are here to work hard and deliver something which could be really exciting.”