Mansfield Town

New manager speaks to media for the first time since his appointment.

Adam Murray is relishing the prospect of stepping into management, after being unveiled as our new manager earlier today.

The 33-year-old, who becomes the youngest manager in the Football League, stepped up into the role on a caretaker basis last month following the departure of previous boss Paul Cox.

Murray indicated that his initial focus will be solely on management, but hasn’t ruled out the prospect of playing in the future.

Our new manager said: “Today is one of the proudest moments in my career. It took a lot of thinking and deliberating to reach the decision and the over-riding feeling that I had was this was the right time and the right moment for me to make the step.

“I think I’ve got a good belief and confidence in my own ability. I’ve got a group of players here that are behind me and have bought into the ideas that I’ve put forward.

“I’ve had a successful playing career and I feel it’s just the right place and the right time for me to make the step.

“At the minute, I’m going to be concentrating on managing. As I’ve found over the last two weeks, it’s an intense business and I’ve not had the time to focus on the playing side of things, so my focus will be on managing and we’ll see how that goes.

“First and foremost, I think I’ve been given the role and the job based on my ability. I’ve had 17 years as a professional player, amassed over 500 appearances, and managed to get five promotions.

“Over those years I’ve made a number of friends and a number of contacts in the game from the bottom of the pyramid all the way up to the top.

“I’ve got people who have given me great information over my career. People who I can lean on if need be, but I’m my own man, I’ve got my own ideas and I’m willing to take the step forward.

“[My backroom staff] are going to stay as they are. I think in Micky Moore I’ve got one of the best coaches around at the minute.

“People in football know how good Micky is and what he brings to the training good. In Richard Cooper, I’ve got someone who I know is loyal, hard-working, and he’s on a journey as well and I’m happy with that.

“[The squad being behind me] was a big factor in me making this decision. Obviously being part of the group as a player, I understand them and they understand me. A big thing for me was the reaction I got from them.

“I think people have seen over the last two weeks the way I look at the game and the way I want my team to play. The boys have bought into that and moving forward that will be a massive thing.

“As everybody knows, my relationship with the fans and the commitment I’ve had to the club [is huge]. I think it’s a great club and I’ve got a great passion for it, but at the same time I’m not naïve enough to believe that’s going to be enough to make me a successful manager.

“I’d like to think that over the years I’ve amassed a lot of knowledge, I’ve learned a lot and the ideas and the way I want to take things can be successful.”

Chairman John Radford also praised Adam Murray on his new job and stated that it was a unanimous decision by the board to appoint him in the role.

“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate Adam Murray on becoming the new manager of Mansfield Town Football Club,” said Mr Radford.

“The interviews were harsh and the candidates of quite a high standard. Adam put his hat into the ring in the final hour.

“It was a hard decision to make, but after interviewing him it was a unanimous decision by the board that Adam Murray should be the new Mansfield Town manager.

“We feel that with his loyalty and service to the club, he deserves this opportunity.”