Yeovil sack Cooper after poor start to season

Mark Cooper was appointed Yeovil Town boss in October 2022

Yeovil Town have sacked manager Mark Cooper less than 24 hours after their 4-3 defeat to Gateshead.

Cooper has been "relieved of his duties" following three losses and a draw from their opening five National League fixtures which has left them 18th in the table.

Cooper was appointed Yeovil boss in October 2022 and after experiencing relegation in his first season won immediate promotion from National League South.

Assistant coach Richard Dryden is to take up interim coaching duties as Yeovil search for Cooper's replacement.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Mark for his commitment to this club through some very difficult times and also his achievements during his three years at Huish Park," read a statement on the club website.

"We wish him every success in his future endeavours."

Cooper's time at Huish Park has coincided with a turbulent period of instability off the field.

In March 2023, the group SU Glovers announced they were "in charge" of the club but their takeover fell through two months later, prompting local businessman and boyhood fan Martin Hellier to step in.

Although Cooper achieved promotion in 2023-24, the relationship between Hellier and fans turned sour with the former owner banning some from attending Huish Park due to remarks made on social media.

Amid an intensely divisive environment, Cooper took Yeovil to 18th place last season with Hellier selling to entrepreneur Prabhu Srinivasan in May.

'Every manager runs their course' - analysis

Safe to say, Mark Cooper has stuck around at the club in some difficult times - with two changes of club ownership.

He did provide the club a piece of silverware - winning the National League South at the first time of asking - but too many draws (11) and too many losses (20) last season and into this new campaign, the defeat at home to Gateshead was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Even before Bank Holiday Monday, Yeovil fans wanted Cooper gone. This only intensified once Gateshead levelled the scores after the Glovers had taken a 3-0 lead.

Chants of "we want Cooper out" rang around Huish Park. As the fourth was scored and the full-time whistle blew, supporters in unison got out of their seats and marched towards the exit immediately.

Personally, I think it's the right decision. Every manager runs their course and can do no more at the football club. This is just Cooper's time to go.

Fans have already given their suggestions for who they think should be the next man in charge: Scott Bartlett from Weston-super-Mare, John Askey from Truro and even Matt Taylor, the ex-Bristol Rovers boss.