Gee: Coops deserves Peterborough United chance

Chris Philpotts

THE appointment of Mark Cooper as the new manager of Championship side Peterborough United may have surprised many within the world of football.

But for Lambs' assistant manager Darron Gee, it was only a matter of time before the 40-year-old made his mark in league football.

Gee was manager of the Lambs in 2003 when Cooper took his first steps into the world of coaching, offering the then club captain, the position of his assistant.

That role lasted a year before Gee left the club, recommending that Cooper be promoted to manager – a decision that proved fruitful, as the Lambs reached the third round of the FA Cup two years running.

Although his reign was somewhat soured by frustrating results in the league in his final season in charge, Cooper's class and attitude, as well as the aforementioned cup success, made him a marketable young manager, according to Gee.

He said: "You could tell with Mark that there was something there.

"He was always looking for ways to improve as a player and when it came to his coaching.

"I knew that with the type of captain he was for us, there was a good coach or manager in him just waiting to come out.

"That is why I offered him the assistant job.

"Coops used to motivate the lads around him and get the best out of players in the team. He was just one of those players that everyone listened to.

"He was a natural at it and although sometimes outspoken and sometimes unpopular in how he approached things, he was always talking sense and doing what he thought best for the team."

Gee added that having switched from captain to assistant manager, Cooper worked hard and showed a hunger to make his new role a success.

"Mark used to go and watch other teams train and play as much as he could, he did that just to take on as many different points of view as he possibly could.

"He was helped by having a famous father in the game (ex-Leeds United full-back Terry Cooper) but even if it was made easier to get access at some places, he still made the effort to go and watch.

"He was the one doing all the journeys and going to all the clubs.

"That was impressive about him. The drive that he showed really made him stand out, even back then."

Gee now hopes that Cooper goes on to achieve even more success with his new club, adding: "Tamworth as a club are always proud when ex-players and managers go on and achieve success in the game.

"For me, it is a case of being doubly proud with Mark, as I was the one that set him on the way.

"I have not spoken to him yet but I have texted him to say congratulations on the new role. Who knows, there may now be a chance of a link-up or friendlies or something along those lines.

"It has not even been spoken about yet but I cannot see why not – it would be nice for the club."

And following Cooper's move up the managerial ranks, Gee also thinks a member of the current Lambs flock can go on and enjoy success in management.

"We have a lot of young players in this squad, players who are still learning the game," said Gee.

"But that does not mean we have not got one or two experienced lads who stand out for me – players like Des Lyttle.

"Des is on the coaching side now and he is one that I expect big things from.

"He is a part of the journey with us at the moment but with his experience in the game and his desire, it would not surprise me to see him do well in the future."