Graham Coughlan a better choice of manager than a ‘serial failure’ believes ex-Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox

Coughlan had caught the eye in his first managerial post at Bristol Rovers and ex-Stags boss Cox said: “I have never spoken to Graham before but it was an impressive job he did at Bristol Rovers.

“Sometimes it's a hard decision for football clubs.

“I do believe there are that many managers on the merry-go-round these days that you could bring in what I'd call a serial failure to your football club.

“It just seems now that if you get to a certain level in the game these days you can just keep getting the sack whichever club you go to.

“I admire John and Carolyn's way that they have gone for someone that has not been management for a long time but has got a club that was struggling initially into the higher reaches of League One.

“It is harder than people and out there and supporters think when you are looking for another manager.

“There are some good ones out there, but a percentage of managers are now just sitting on this merry-go-round, picking up another job after getting sacked. It's a strange business at the minute.

“Due diligence is key in getting the right man in. But ultimately then, it's about supporting that man and letting him implement everything he wants to get across.”

Coughlan has not been able to wave a magic wand, though things have improved at Mansfield.

“The big thing with football management is that it's always the manager that pays the price,” said Cox.

“The majority of his squad are not players that he's brought in and managers need to have their own players in there to implement their own philosophy.

“I bet he is very frustrated at the moment as it looked like a hell of a lot needed doing in a short space of time which can be very stressful for anyone in the hot seat.

“I am sure, given a couple of transfer windows, he will want to be judged on what he produces when he has had that time.”

Cox was sad to see his former skipper John Dempster dismissed but said it was inevitable.

“No one likes being in that position and the thing with football is that it is a results-based business,” he said.

“Every manager knows the scenario - it's the nature of the beast that you do not get time now.

“You have to hit the ground running and it is such a fickle business. We live in a society now where everything needs to be produced instantly.

“I think John has been around long enough in the business to know that if you're not getting results consistently, you have to be looking over your shoulder.”

With one eye on Stags' fortunes, Cox is finally enjoying the game once more as he strives to keep struggling Kettering Town in National League North.

“I am loving my football again,” he smiled. “Having stepped out of it, I never saw myself going back into it as I didn't enjoy it any more.

“But slowly I have started to enjoy it again.

“I joined a club that were rock bottom and probably anticipating relegation.

“We have worked hard with the players, they have responded, and we find ourselves in a more healthy position, albeit with still a lot to do.

“I have already said it would be one of my biggest achievements if I keep this club in this league this year.

“At times we've only had enough players to fill three of the five places in the bench.

“It's been really tough and it's taken me back to the early days at Eastwood and Mansfield.

“That's the part I am enjoying. It's when the rewards could be great - I don't mean financial, I mean mentally and spiritually.”