FORMER Bolton Wanderers defender Neil Cox said he didn’t think twice about coming back into football as York City’s new assistant manager.

The 51-year-old has taken a job alongside his former team-mate Neil Ardley at the National League club, who currently sit 20th in the table.

Cox spent two seasons as a player at Bolton and played for the club in the 1999 play-off final, eventually moving on to Watford six months later for £500,000.

After finishing his playing career at the end of the 2007/8 season he went into management with non-league Leek Town and also had spells as assistant at AFC Wimbledon – alongside Ardley – and Notts County.

The Bolton News: Neil Cox, right, in action for Bolton in the 1999 play-off final against WatfordNeil Cox, right, in action for Bolton in the 1999 play-off final against Watford (Image: PA)

His last job was at Scunthorpe United, which ended in November 2021 after just over a year in charge.

And after taking the assistant’s post 10 days ago, Cox has helped the Minstermen to victory against Southend United and a point against Boreham Wood.

“It was an absolute no-brainer.” Cox told the York Press. “We’ve always stayed in contact, and I left Notts County to go manage my hometown team, that’s the only reason I left because I probably wouldn’t have gone anywhere else.

“We always kept in touch, sent each other messages because we’ve been mates for a long time.

“When the opportunity came along it was ideal for me.

“We’ve settled in quite well, we’ve had a couple of half decent results with a draw and a win.

“Getting to know everybody, we’ve got a lot of people so trying to meet everyone at the football club, not just the players but also the staff.

“That’s the way we do it, because everybody is involved together, it’s been really interesting but it’s been good.

“I’ve worked with him for ten years, so I know what to expect.”

Another Wanderer who has moved into the hotseat this week is Steve Thompson, who has taken temporary charge of Oldham Athletic – who coincidentally welcome Cox’s York City at Boundary Park tomorrow night.

Thompson has stepped into the role vacated by David Unsworth, who left the club after 12 months following a run of just one win in nine games.

Former midfielder Thompson played 424 times for Bolton before a £220,000 move to Luton Town in August 1991.