ARTHUR Cox has announced his retirement from professional football.
The veteran coach has been assistant to Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan for the last three years, filling a number of roles from chief scout to acting manager.
The search has already begun to find the man to replace him.
Heading the queue of potential candidates for the position is current Blues coach Stuart Pearce, who was recently described by Keegan as being the "ideal" man to take over from him in two years time when his contract finishes.
City, however, have stressed that no decisions have been made and they are prepared to take their time in order to appoint the right man - they are even contemplating bringing an individual in from outside the club.
But after dedicating the last 40 years of his life to the game, Cox, who took charge of first team affairs for four games last season when Keegan was incapacitated with a back problem, felt the time was right to call it a day.
A man who goes about his business in a quiet, dignified way - he will not use a hundred words when one will do - Cox, 65, said: "I have had a fantastic time in football and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
"It is time to make way for somebody else. This decision has been made in the best interests of Manchester City and Arthur Cox."
A broken leg sustained playing for Coventry City ended a playing career for Cox, who then moved into coaching at Halifax, Aston Villa, Preston Sunderland and Turkish side Galatasaray. He was assistant to Bob Stokoe in 1973 when Sunderland sprang a surprise by beating Leeds in the FA Cup.
His first job in senior management came three years later when he took charge of Chesterfield.
That post was a stepping-stone to bigger things and after four years at the Priestfield Stadium, he moved to Newcastle United.
It was at St James' Park that he first crossed paths with Keegan - Cox signed the City chief from Southampton.
Soul
The pair have remained close friends ever since. When returning to his post at City at the end of last season, Keegan hailed the work Cox had done in his absence and said: "It's not a father/son relationship we have, but he is my soul brother."
"Arthur has been a wonderful servant to football and great influence on my career," Keegan added today. "I've known him a long time and I owe him so much.
"He's been a true friend and confidante. I hope he enjoys his retirement to the full."
After a successful nine-year spell in charge of Derby - he twice won promotion with the Rams to the old First Division - Cox moved back to Tyneside after accepting an offer to join Keegan's coaching staff.
Along with Terry McDermott and Derek Fazackerley, Keegan and Cox helped reverse the fortunes of Newcastle, winning the First Division championship in breathtaking style en route to the Premiership.
When Keegan quit St James' Park in 1997, he moved on to Fulham later that year and when appointing his backroom staff, the first decision he made was to employ Cox as Director of Football at Craven Cottage.
Though the FA would not make Cox a permanent employee when Keegan took charge of the England side in 1999, he still played his part and was a member of the coaching staff.
There were no such problems at City, however. The first thing Keegan did after taking over in May 2001 was to make Cox his chief scout - a year later he was promoted to assistant manager.
Charismatic
A dedicated and charismatic individual, Cox has worked closely with everyone at City. Among other things, it was he who urged Keegan to give Joey Barton his big chance against Bolton in April 2003.
But perhaps his most significant contribution was to steer City through the Easter period unbeaten at the end of last season during Keegan's absence.
Paying tribute to the role he played at the club, City Chairman John Wardle said: "Arthur Cox is a true football man who is respected throughout the game. He is a man of great knowledge and dignity.
"I would like to thank him for his service to our club these past three years. He will always be welcome at the City of Manchester Stadium."
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Stuart Pearce should be given the Assistant Managers job.He^s got loads of football experience and hes a winner.He would be very good for City and he understands the set up.Give him the job.
I think all City fans wish Cox well in retirement. City needs new ideas in management to meet the ever-changing tactics in football.
A little sad that some blues abused him through GMR and other channels. I hope this did not influence his decision.
Pearce looks a likely replacement, but if that's not to be, I'd like to see an influntial fugue come in to coach the defence, and who could replace Keegan in 2 years time.
Can't think of anyone offhand, but Keegan must have a lot of contacts, and with the manager's position up for grabs, it's an attractive job
Psycho as his replacement, do the right thing Kev
I am sorry to sound ungreatfull, but I for one am glad. I think Cox is 10 years behind the times. We and Kevin need a young coach with forward views. Personally I would quite like Stuart Pearce, as long as he does not become another KK "Yes" man. Lets have some real contravertial input.
Relief! Nothing but good news- there has to be scapegoats for failure! As i suspected - Cox has been head scout and therefore has to take some blame for the disgraceful players he has reccomended to KK
stuart pierce should be the man to replace him if they want him to replace keegan when his contract is over or even earlier if he throws his teddy out of his cot.
Cox going is great news. Hopefully Fazackerly will go soon too then we can get someone in who will really sort out the football side of things, leaving Keegan to be the 'figure head celebrity', because, let's face it, he can't manage very well.
Thank god.. one down two to go.....
Great - now can we 'retire' the defensive genuius that goesby the name of Fazackerely - what a waste of space that man is! KK's assistant needs to be a defensive mastermind - because it's the goals against column that will once gain cost us dear unless action is taken during the summer.
And what the hell is going on with DVB - BUY HIM NOW. Forget Matteo we want winners not gap-stops.
a loyal servant to football,quiet and very knowledgeable,lets hope he enjoys his time away from footie.
K.K. owes him a lot and will surely miss him at his side.HAPPY RETIREMENT FROM ALL AT THE BLUE-CAMP...
Lets all hope Derek Fazackerly follows suit!!!
I'ts traditional to say nice things about people on their retirement.Unfortunately, the only words that spring to mind are good riddance.
********** BYE ************
You will be missed!!!
NOT!
First good news of the close season! Would have preferred KK and Faz to go but at least the main "yes man" has gone. Really hope Pearce doesn't turn into a yes man too and has the guts to tell KK when things are not being done correctly. Does anyone know whether Cox was pushed or did he jump?
at long last, a hint of some good news from the theatre of cock-ups: let's hope that Stuart Pearce is duly appointed and brings some much needed professionalism to the management of this team. Let's also see City resolve, well in advance, the issue of who takes over when KK's contract ends so we have some continuity and stability.
Best news of the summer so far. Let's hope its not too long before Faz gets the message and departs as well. Has to be Pearce. He's the only logical choice.
It makesme laugh when all you plebs call for Pearce to be second in command - he has achieved nothing apart from sponging a few hundred grand in wages whilst he completes his YTS in coaching and then moves on. Get real - a proven coach is required not a yes man.
What an great oppertunity to test the develpoment of Stuart Pearce as a manager. His qualifications in coaching can only have increased his ability to take over from Kevin Keegan when he leaves in 2006, s lets get his feet wet as assistant manager for a couple of seasons & we can see where we are at in 2 years time.
As usual a load of abuse from those who presumably know all about what Cox did or did not bring to the party. As one who desn't have this insight, all I can do is wish him a happy retirement and thank him for his part in the two very good years we had.
I too would indeed like to witness an influntial fugue at the CoMS. It should prove quite a spectacle and possible even more entertaining than the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Pearce needs up grading, however, our next signing should be for another, younger manager to work along side KK & SP up to date with modern football and practise, game play, tactics and training. The best way to judge this is to witness set pieces, when we appear to not have a clue questions need to be asked, keep SP on defensive training, the new boy should be able to run the whole team alongside KK, who can remain as Mr Motivator!!!
Finally we can get an assistant manager that can be relied upon to win games when KK takes next easter off to enjoy his eggs! Cox drew 4 easy games! KK came back and lost the next two! I agree with what Jennys dad said before.... big it up suffolk posee!
One down THREE to go.
First Bonetti, now Cox. Good of them to resign as it was clear KK didn't have the heart to let them go. I'm not convinced by Pearce's commitment to City at all. However he should really be promoted otherwise it makes KK look as though KK is going back on what he said about Pearce being groomed. But perhaps another Yes man will come in, someone like Paul Bracewll.