Yeovil Town have announced the dismissal of manager Mark Cooper after a tumultuous start to the season. New club owner Prabhu Srinivasan moved quickly to address the growing concerns among supporters following a disappointing run that has left the Glovers with just one win in their opening five matches.
The decision came on the heels of a shocking collapse against Gateshead on Bank Holiday Monday. Yeovil had taken a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime thanks to goals from Josh Sims, Junior Morias, and Harvey Greenslade. However, Gateshead, fueled in part by former Glovers player Frank Nouble’s goal and assist, mounted an extraordinary comeback to win 4-3 with a last-minute strike, leaving Yeovil devastated.
Mark Cooper’s tenure at Yeovil began in October 2022 during one of the club’s most unstable periods. He stepped in following Chris Hargreaves’ exit amidst internal turmoil and ownership uncertainty. Despite battling relegation and a high turnover of players, Cooper helped the team secure promotion back to the National League last season after winning the National League South title.
READ MORE: Major Brands Unveil New Stores in Clarks Village Summer Spectacle
READ MORE: No Immediate Plans to Improve Busy A303 Eagle Tavern Junction
However, off-field instability continued to plague the club. Ownership changed hands multiple times, creating uncertainty and disrupting squad building. The latest takeover by Srinivasan and his family business was complicated and delayed, leaving the squad in limbo during the crucial pre-season period. This disruption, combined with a move of the training base to the SGS Campus, failed to inspire the expected improvement in performances.
With mounting fan frustration and poor early-season results, Srinivasan decided to act decisively. Yeovil Town stated, “Mark Cooper has been relieved of his duties as first team manager. We thank Mark for his dedication through challenging times and wish him success in his future endeavors.”
In the interim, Richard Dryden will take charge of the first team as the club begins searching for a permanent manager. Supporters have been urged to rally behind the squad and Dryden as Yeovil prepare for their next fixture against FC Halifax Town.
Reflecting on the defeat against Gateshead in his final interview, Cooper admitted, “The second-half performance lacked professionalism, which is disappointing for everyone.” He acknowledged the fans’ calls for his departure, saying, “You have to take that on the chin; it comes with the territory when results don’t go your way.”
The dramatic match against Gateshead saw Yeovil dominate the first half. Sims opened the scoring after capitalizing on a goalkeeper error, while Morias and Greenslade extended the lead with well-placed goals. Yet, Gateshead’s tactical second-half changes, including bringing on Kain Adom and Frank Nouble, turned the tide. Nouble assisted the winning goal in the dying moments of the game, stunning Yeovil and effectively bringing an end to Cooper’s reign.
As the club moves forward, the focus shifts to appointing a new manager to steady the ship and reignite the team’s campaign, as Yeovil Town searches for fresh leadership and renewed hope.