Chesterfield vow to keep hold of in-demand manager Paul Cook

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 22 April 2015

Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner vows to keep hold of Paul Cook, following suggestions that he tops the list of managerial targets for Portsmouth.

Chesterfield chief executive Chris Turner has insisted that the club have no intention of allowing Paul Cook to speak to Portsmouth over the vacant managerial position.

The 48-year-old is among the favourites to land the job at Fratton Park following the dismissal of Andy Awford earlier this month.

Cook, who guided the Spireites to League Two promotion and to the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last season, has also previously been linked to Wigan Athletic.

However, Turner has vowed to keep the former Sligo Rovers man in place at the Proact Stadium, telling Sky Sports News: "There has been no contact from Portsmouth and, as far as I know, Paul is happy to be here and doing a great job.

"His record since arriving here is second to none. We are delighted with him and are not surprised other clubs get linked with him. It was Wigan last week, it was somebody else the week before. Whenever people lose their jobs, clubs are going to look to who is doing well. Paul Cook is doing extremely well.

"He is the best manager in the league and I would have thought clubs would be interested in Paul Cook. I am pleased he does get linked with other jobs because it proves what a good job he is doing for us. However, he is under contract at Chesterfield and that is the way it is.

"Of course we would stand in the way if a club came in for him, we have got to fight our corner. We have a great manager working extremely well for us, we are successful. Besides, he has a good contract and as far as I know is happy here. I am not surprised there is speculation, though. But it is all speculation."

Chesterfield are currently sixth in the League One table and well on course to securing a place in the end-of-season playoffs.