Cooper dismissed as play-off slide continues

Forest Green have parted ways with long-serving manager Mark Cooper, with the club in the midst of a six-game winless streak and looking set to go from the automatic promotion places to out of the play-offs.

Cooper had been with Rovers for nearly five years, and was the sixth longest-serving manager in English league football before his dismissal, with the club hoping to climb back into the top three during their six remaining League Two games.

The former Swindon and Notts County boss joined Forest Green in May 2016, and took them into the Football League for the first time in their history, but after extended spells in the top three, ownership decided to act following four consecutive losses, the most recent away to Walsall at the weekend.

“This decision we’ve made today is about giving ourselves the best chance of securing promotion with six games left,” said Chairman Dale Vince. "Despite our collective efforts we’ve been unable to halt our slide in form, which has the potential to take us out of contention this season.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Mark these last five years, he’s made a big contribution to the club and will always be a friend. In football sometimes you just need to make a change - and with Mark’s contract ending next month, and us needing a change in the next six games - this feels like the right decision.”

Forest Green will hand the reigns over to U18s coach Jimmy Ball until the end of the season.