Mark Cooper: Swindon caretaker boss hopes to stay with club

Caretaker manager Mark Cooper wants to stay with Swindon Town irrespective of whether he is given the job on a permanent basis.

The 44-year-old was put in charge after Kevin MacDonald left the club by mutual consent on Friday.

Cooper resigned as manager of non-league Telford to join MacDonald's backroom team at the County Ground.

And he said: "I've got a contract. I want to stay and work with the group we've got."

Cooper, who has also managed Tamworth, Kettering, Peterborough and Darlington, has been overseeing Swindon's preparations for their friendly against Tottenham on Tuesday.

"I've not had time to even think about anything," he told BBC Wiltshire. "All the thoughts and planning has gone into training for Tottenham.

"I'm just taking it day to day. Being a caretaker can be a precarious position, but whatever role I have with the club I will do to the best of my ability. I'm confident in my ability."

Cooper admitted he had been surprised at MacDonald's departure, which came just hours before Friday's pre-season match against Forest Green.

"Whatever has gone on, has gone on. It's a shame, but that's football and it happens.

"When you are in a football club, there are always things that you may not be quite happy with, but I'd suggest you could count on one hand the football clubs where everything runs smoothly," he said.

"I'm not quite sure of the ins and outs of what's gone on, but it has and they've chosen to go their separate ways.

"I learnt a lot off Kevin. He's a fantastic gentleman, a lovely man and a good football coach.

"I've spoken to him. He's obviously philosophical and wished me good luck."