Stags boss Cox knew it was time up

His departure on Friday on the eve of the Plymouth match came a shock to players, staff and fans, 24 hours after he was subjected to a gruelling night of questioning by supporters at the Stags Supporters’ Association Fans’ Forum.

But Cox said: “It’s been on my mind since the beginning of the season. We have had three years of big success but I have had to ask myself, can I take this club any further?

“From the start of the season we had the budget cut along with things like losing pre-match meals and some overnight stays.

“I sat down with the chairman for a chat two weeks ago but we decided to carry on and give it a go.

“But I have felt low and haven’t been enjoying my football. I needed a fresh challenge.

“As I said at the fans’ forum, I think I have given this football club an incredible amount of success.

“A part of me didn’t know what else I could give to the supporters. So I had to look at everything logically and see what was the best scenario for me and everyone else.”

He added: “It’s been eight years since I haven’t turned up for a game on a Saturday afternoon. That has been hard work week after week, so it all felt a bit surreal. But I do need a break.

“Whatever comes up now from now on, I will be 100 per cent focused and I want to emulate what I have done here and over the past eight years.”

But Cox admitted: “This club will always have a very special place in my heart.

“I was married in and around the ground, with our reception being down there, and my daughter Ellie is only three years old and all she knows is Mansfield Town where daddy works. So this club has been a major part of my life and I have some great memories here.

“But this chapter of my life is over now. I have to move on, though I will remember it very, very fondly.

“I will always be in touch with the chairman who was not just my boss, but also a good friend.

“I will pop back in the future. I have made a lot of good friends down there and want to keep in touch with them.

“I have had so many lovely messages from fans this week, I don’t know how they’ve all got my phone number and my e-mail, but a lot of them have been very emotional.”

Saturday’s programme notes by John Radford, penned before Cox’s departure, stressed the chairman was happy to continue to back his manager and that, despite his recent record, Radford felt Cox had earned more time with his success so far at the club.

Cox admitted: “It was my approach to the chairman that set the ball rolling. He has been fantastic with me and a pleasure to work with. I have enjoyed every minute of it and he is the reason I have stayed here as long as I have.

“It is no secret I have had one or two approaches from other clubs but I have remained loyal to the club and the chairman.

“I have had three amazing seasons and we have achieved every goal we set out to do. We have put some great infrastructure into the club from U14s to the youth team.

“I just felt now was the time to move on and take on another challenge.

“On Thursday night I sat down with my wife and we had a good chat about our future and I took it from there.

“I have achieved a lot at this football club and it will always have a very special place in my heart. But I want to challenge myself and I need a fresh challenge.”

On the heated SSA meeting on Thursday, he said: “There were a lot of passionate people who care about their football club. I was one of them and I let off steam as well.

“But it had been on my mind a while. Sometimes you can be at a football club too long and become part and parcel of the furniture and lose your impetus.

“I am not saying that has happened, but I did feel like I needed a new start.

“I am now going to have a break first and foremost and recharge my batteries.

“I have been in work consistently for eight years and in that time I have never been sacked.

“I have won two or three championships, four or five promotions and come through about eight levels of football.

“It doesn’t really hit you until you sit back and assess what has been achieved.

“Fingers crossed when I am ready I can get back in work as soon as possible.”

Cox backed his former assistant Murray to go for the job, adding: “It’s too soon to say but he has aspirations to be a manager. It is a tough scenario to come into, but what is an easy job these days?

“You have to grab every opportunity by the hands and grasp it. I hope for everyone that the club goes on a fantastic set of results and climbs into a healthy position.

“Adam is how own man and the chairman will pick whoever he thinks will take the club forward.

“I wish whoever that is all the very best. We have laid some great foundations and whoever comes in will grab hold of a club that is only going forward.

“So whether it’s Adam or whoever, I sincerely wish them and the club all the best for the future.”