I would have kept Guiseley up, says departed boss Paul Cox

By Jon Couch
Boss Paul Cox reckons he would have still guided Guiseley to safety had he not been sacked for the first time in his career this week.
The 46-year-old won just three games in his five-month reign at Nethermoor with Tuesday night’s 1-0 home defeat by Gateshead the club’s sixth successive loss.
It left the Lions 10 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the National League – but the man who led Mansfield Town to promotion to the Football League in 2013 believes he would have pulled off the ‘Great Escape’.
“It’s disappointing, as although results didn’t go our way the last few weeks – albeit against some top sides – I feel I put together a group of players who were capable of keeping the club in the National League. I have no doubt about that,” Cox said.
“We have a lot of games coming up where we could have taken the three points and there is a lot of football still to play.
“It’s the first time I’ve been sacked in my career and it’s been a massive learning curve for me. In my 11-12 years in management, I’ve always achieved my targets and goals, and I’m used to getting teams out of the league at the other end of the table.
“I’m looking forward to taking a little break now, spend some time with the family, but I want to get back in the saddle again soon.”
Former Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger has taken over as caretaker boss and is one of the favourites to succeed Cox long term, along with former Torquay boss Kevin Nicholson and ex-FC Halifax chief Billy Heath.