Yeovil Town chairman Scott Priestnall has given “assurances” to new manager Mark Cooper, according to the new boss.
He told the club’s YouTube channel that he had received a late night phone call from the owner and had to do “a bit of soul searching” before deciding to step back in to front line having parted company with League Two Barrow in March.
The interview which appears to have been recorded on Thursday when the former Swindon Town and Forest Green Rovers manager visited Huish Park.
Cooper said: “I had a good chat with the owner and decided to go for it. I wanted to get back to work, I have been out now for six months so it was important I got back to work somewhere I can get my teeth in to.
“I knew a few of the players and staff so I am excited and really looking forward to it.”
Asked about his conversation with the chairman, he added: “(It was) pretty detailed in terms of what the job entails, the squad and whether we can add to it and assurances for the future, he gave me those (and told me) he would let me come in and get on with it which was a big thing.
“It’s important you know the level and the players. At the moment, it’s about simplifying things for the players and trying to give them a platform to regain confidence.”
Asked what it was attracted him to want to take over at Huish a Park, Cooper recalled his previous visits to Somerset in charge of Swindon Town and Forest Green Rovers.
“Historically this can be a big club, I think we need to unite the players, the supporters, everybody needs to come together.
“If we can get the supporters on board we can get big attendances here. I think the squad is alright and the fact it is a big club historically is what attracted me.”
Cooper took charge of Swindon for a 1-1 draw in Somerset in October 2014 and a 2-1 win for his Forest Green side over Darren Way’s Yeovil in December 2018. Both games ended with Cooper’s men having ten men and the most recent fixture saw them score twice in injury time to take three points – including a goal from a certain Reuben Reid.