Mathias was appointed as a technical advisor at Edgeley Park in February before taking sole charge for the last 11 games of the season.
County were unbeaten at home under his stewardship but it wasn't enough to prolong their 106-year stay in the Football League.
The 64-year-old was one of the first to throw his hat in the ring for the permanent job after the final day draw with Cheltenham, despite the club advertising for candidates on their official website.
Mathias was part of a five-man shortlist including Jim Gannon, Martin Foyle, Graham Roberts and Mike Newell but after two interviews, the former Wigan and Tranmere manager convinced chief executive Graham Shaw that he was the right man for the job.
“After a lengthy process during which we interviewed a number of high calibre candidates for the role, I am pleased to announce Ray as the new manager of Stockport County,” said Shaw.
“Ray impressed throughout the interview process with his plans for the future of Stockport County, coaching and improving players and his own personal ambitions.
“We are delighted that Ray has accepted the challenge and look forward to an exciting time ahead as the club looks to regain its place in the Football League at the earliest opportunity. He will start his new role immediately.”
What do you think? Have your say. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
A bit shocked with this one after seeing the candidates
Personal choice would have been Gannon, but not sure how long he would have stayed if something better had come along
Best of luck for next year
Good luck Ray. Anyone who goes for the most difficult job in football with such enthusiasm and passion gets my support.
RUBBISH ,PATHETIC ,LACK OF AMBITION ,GOING NOWHERE ,SAME OLD SAME OLD ,CARRY ON COUNTY WHAT A NEGATIVE MOVE
At least we have a manager in place nice and early. He now has all summer to get a squad sorted. Lets judge him at Christmas. I think Gannon came in late on, but bolted pretty quickly. i dont know what he was up to.
To be honest whoever got the job would have to be a miracle worker.With more players
leaving,even Harry Houdini would struggle to get out of this mess!
Good luck Ray you will need it!
I was told by a reliable source from inside the club that Gannon wanted a ridiculous amount of money to take the job on along with a get out clause,so to all those Gannon supporters,that proves where his loyalties lay,and they certainly were'nt with the club.! Up his own backside is Jimbo...
concernedcitizen! (26/05/2011 at 11:20)
'At least we have a manager in place nice and early'
Is this what is has come to for county fans?? Just glad to have a manager (any manager) in place regardless of any quality or stability he brings to the club?? Deary me the demise has only just begun if this is the case!!
Think it says it all when you can get 33/1 for them winning Blue Sq next year!! lol!!
Bottm line. The only way for County to survive is to actually sign players, not borrow them. Step 2, coach and improve them. Step 3 Unfortunately sell them as necessary to balance the books. (Think Ash Williams, international and premiership player or Tommy Rowe who got the ball roling with the first goal against Huddersfield and now is a championship player). The better that County are at improving players (that they own the rights to), then the more successful the team and the less it is necessary to sell.
But they have to SIGN players, NOT borrow other teams' players.
Good luck Ray.
Glad that ray is the manager! Hes proved a piont in my case, he browses the market lookin for free transfers and doesen't buy buy buy good luck to you ray DO US PROUD