Oxford City have announced one of the stars of TV’s Ted Lasso as their new manager – but this is no gimmick.
Former Tottenham youngster Sam Cox, who played alongside Harry Kane in their youth team, has got all the right credentials.
Cox arrives at the National League North side having kept Wealdstone in the fifth tier of English football last season as their interim boss.
The 33-year-old previously enjoyed a playing career that started at alongside England captain Kane at youth level, before spells with several non-league sides, including Wealdstone and Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Cox has also featured for the Guyana national team but has now ventured into the world of management with his UEFA A coaching license.
“I’m delighted to get the deal over the line,” he told Oxford City upon his arrival. My first impressions of this football club are tremendous.
“There’s some really good people around the place and after years of playing against Oxford, I know how well run the club is.
“I’m really looking forward to getting going, starting the season and trying to take this football club to where it deserves and needs to be.”
Cox, who has also starred in the hit football show Ted Lasso as the fictional West Ham player ‘Armando’, has also coached at the Spurs academy.
But he is now tasked with taking Oxford City back to the National League following their relegation last season.
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Speaking to BBC Sport, he said it was an opportunity he ‘couldn’t turn down’ and revealed that part of the interview process took place outside the country after being away with Guyana on international duty.
“I was actually in Barbados at the time. The Wi-Fi wasn’t the best in the hotel but we got the interview done.
“I had the first interview, obviously getting to meet Justin [Merritt, Oxford City owner] and some of the guys on that Zoom call.
“I got invited back for a second interview the week after, had to deliver a presentation, my methodology and philosophy of where I’d like to take the club and push forward.
“And yeah, came to a decision a couple of days afterwards and gave me the news. Just absolutely buzzing to get going now, it’s a great football club, really excited to push forward.”
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