MARK Cooper has labelled Swindon Town a “difficult place to manage” after securing his first job since leaving the club five months ago.

In his first press conference since being named as boss of League Two side Notts County until the end of the season, Cooper spoke of some tough times during his previous managerial career, including at the County Ground.

Town chairman Lee Power dictated the transfer policy at Town during Cooper’s tenure, while former first-team coach and current Town chief Luke Williams was also an appointment made by the chairman.

Cooper revealed that he wanted to get back in the game at a club where he could have more of a say on certain aspects, and will be on familiar ground at Notts County where old friend Richard Dryden, who was a teammate at Birmingham as well as his assistant at Darlington, is already on the staff.

“I’ve had some difficult tasks in management,” said Cooper.

“There was Peterborough and then Swindon which wasn’t easy. It can be a difficult place to manage.

“After that experience I wanted to be able to go somewhere I could either take some staff of my own that I trusted, or people I knew at the club.

“I had a difficult experience at Swindon with staff. I knew Richard Dryden here so I didn’t see that as an issue.

“We played together, he’s been with me before in managerial terms. I can ask them about the squad.

“I want to know the ins and outs and the reason why so and so has not been playing, and that’s how you find out.”

Cooper spent just over two years as Town boss, taking over ahead of the 2013-14 season, having previously served as assistant manager under Kevin MacDonald.

He led Town to the League One play-off final last season but hopes of promotion were dashed by a 4-0 loss to Preston at Wembley.

Cooper was unable to reach those heights this term and he left the club on October 17 last year following an eight-match winless run, which culminated in a 2-0 defeat at Millwall.

Former Town player Martin Ling was named as his replacement but left the club after less than two months due to health reasons, with Williams stepping up to take over before signing a five-year contract as head coach earlier this month.