Mark Cooper: Swindon Town assistant given manager's job

Mark Cooper has been confirmed as Swindon manager on a two-year deal.

The 44-year-old quit as AFC Telford boss in March to join Swindon as assistant to Kevin MacDonald.

Cooper was put in temporary charge in July following MacDonald's departure and has overseen two wins from their opening four games of the new season.

"We considered several candidates - all well qualified - but kept reverting back to Mark," chairman Jed McCrory told the club website.

"The manner in which Mark has conducted himself as caretaker manager after Kevin's departure left the board with little alternative but to offer him the job.

"His work-rate and commitment to the club has been phenomenal. The board feel that Mark is capable of leading the club into a what we hope will be a hugely successful season."

Cooper, a former Exeter City midfielder, started his managerial career with Tamworth before spells at Kettering, Peterborough and Darlington.

He had been in charge of non-league Telford for only 30 days when he left to link up with MacDonald, who was appointed as Paolo Di Canio's successor at the County Ground.

The pair led Swindon to the play-off semi-finals, but they lost out to Brentford on penalties after the two-leg tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

MacDonald quit just days before the beginning of pre-season and Cooper was subsequently promoted.

Since the competitive campaign began, Swindon have won one of their three games in League One and secured a place in the second round of the League Cup with a 1-0 win over Torquay.