Fan's sadness as Stags boss Murray departs

Murray left the club following talks with chairman John Radford.

The club said: “Following a meeting between Adam and chairman John Radford, Adam asked to vacate his position as manager in the best interests of both himself and Mansfield Town Football Club.”

Adam Murray leaves Mansfield Town Stags crash to heavy defeat at Portsmouth Murray: We must take Pompey defeat on chinDean Foulkes, chairman of Stags Supports Association, said he was shocked and saddened by Murray’s departure.

Dean told BBC Radio Nottingham’s Matchtalk programme tonight: “I am hugely surprised and really sad about it.

“He started off really well.

“Perhaps he did tend to over-think tactics at times and we have perhaps been over-defensive at home.

“You need to keep your home fans happy and entertained.

There were signs things could turn ugly if they didn’t change, but I did expect them to change.”

“But at the moment, the over-riding emotion is shock and also that coaches Richard Cooper and Karl Hawley have gone as well.

“He’s been a fantastic servant as a player. As a fan you want someone who really cares about the football club and he certainly does.

“Unfortunately, results at home have not been great, but I didn’t see it coming.”

Mansfield was 35-year-old Murray’s first managerial position.

He initially became assistant manager to Paul Cox in June 2012, while still a player, before taking over as caretaker player-manager after Cox’s departure in November 2014.

He was appointed to the permanent position two weeks later.