Swindon: Mark Cooper relishes Kevin MacDonald partnership

Mark Cooper says the lure of working alongside Kevin MacDonald was a major factor in him leaving his position as manager of AFC Telford for Swindon.

Cooper, who has held managerial posts at five different clubs, left the Bucks last week to become assistant to new Robins boss MacDonald.

"He's been at a big club in Aston Villa and brought though some good young players," he told BBC Wiltshire.

"So I'm looking forward to learning from him and helping him."

MacDonald succeeded Paolo Di Canio at the Wiltshire club last week, after the Italian resigned from the post following a hold-up in the takeover of the club by a local consortium, which has now been completed.

The 52-year-old, who ended a 17-year spell at Villa Park following Alex McLeish's departure in May 2012, has never held a permanent managerial job before, but filled the role in a caretaker capacity at Leicester City and Villa.

Cooper believes the Scot has all the attributes needed to be a success with the League One promotion hopefuls.

"I think he has got the ability to treat players as human beings and he gets the message across that if you give him everything you've got, you'll be fine," he said.

"I think if everyone understands that, then there won't be any problems."

As 44-year-old Cooper helps Swindon in their bid for promotion to the Championship, the team he left are rock bottom of the Blue Square Bet Premier table.

He was only in charge at the Bucks Head on an interim basis, but remains grateful for the chance the Shropshire club gave him.

"I just went in to help them out for a couple of weeks," he added. "I'd been out of the game for a year. They rang and asked if I could give them a bit of help, which I did.

"They're a good little club in a bit of trouble and I sincerely hope they get out of it."