COX IS READY TO GO AGAIN
EDUCATION, observing coaches in America and helping his daughters with their maths homework – former Conference champion Paul Cox has enjoyed a sabbatical from management but says the fire is burning to get back in the dug-out.
It’s the first real period of time the 47-year-old has had to recharge his batteries and invest in his own coaching methods since first becoming Eastwood Town, then at Step 4, manager in 2005.
Within seven years he’d had two promotions with the Badgers before taking Mansfield Town into the Football League.
Now, just over a year after leaving Guiseley, Cox is ready for the next challenge having used the time wisely to spend with his young family while topping up his knowledge. And he’s put in some miles.
“I went pretty much everywhere in America – from New York, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, the Tampa region in Florida, Colorado, San Diego – it was really interesting,” Cox tells The NLP.
“The head coach at San Antonio, Darren Powell, is a really good friend of mine – in terms of picking up from the way things are done in a different country, different coaching methods, it’s been great.
“I’ve also been in at St George’s Park and worked with the Coach Ed team there. So when I say it’s been an education, it really has.
“I’ve covered a lot of games too. I’ve got a better database of Non-League and players in the U23 structure I’ve ever had. This has given me the time to go there without any pressure and look at games, individuals, coaching methods in a different manner.”
Cox believes too many managers burn themselves out these days – and this period has also given him time to reflect.
Success
After enjoying huge success at his first two clubs – Eastwood and Mansfield – a short spell at Torquay United didn’t work out because of off-field issues.
He then guided Barrow to the brink of the National League play-offs.
“I honestly believe if we’d kept Byron Harrison fit, kept Ryan Yates and strengthened – not gone barmy – that Barrow would be a Football League club by now,” he says.
Cox, who had been approached by Hartlepool United while there, admits he was concerned about the progression of the club under the since-departed ownership and walked away.
Eleven days later came the start of an ill-fated stint at Guiseley but one he learned a lot from as they tried to transition from a part-time to full-time model.
“I got the phone call straight after I left Barrowfrom the owner,” he says. “My gut feeling was I needed a break but Steve Parkin was really positive and I signed there. The whole thing was they wanted to go full-time and there was a culture at the club that it was part-time with experienced players who had really good jobs.
“The infrastructure wasn’t quite right in terms of staffing levels. It was the first time I’d been in an envithen ronment where so much was needed in such a short space of time.
“I’ve been in Non-League in part-time and full-time, I understand the dynamics and there was just not enough time. Hindsight is great and perhaps I wish I’d taken a break but I learnt loads from it.”
Now he’s determined to recreate the formula that has brought success in the past.
“I feel fresh, like when I was at the start of the journey when I was at Eastwood,” he says. “Then I woke up one morning and I was in the Football League with Mansfield. There had been huge games, promotions, FA Cup games and it all seemed like a click of the fingers.
“I’m recharged, there’s fire in the belly but with a more-rounded view of the game.”