Paul Cook (footballer)

Paul Cook
Cook as manager of Wigan Athletic in 2018
Personal information
Full name Paul Anthony Cook[1]
Date of birth (1967-02-22) 22 February 1967 (age 57)[1]
Place of birth Kirkby,[2] England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
Chesterfield (manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1983–1984 Marine 0 (0)
1984–1988 Wigan Athletic 83 (14)
1988–1989 Norwich City 6 (0)
1989–1994 Wolverhampton Wanderers 193 (19)
1994–1996 Coventry City 37 (3)
1996–1997 Tranmere Rovers 60 (4)
1997–1999 Stockport County 49 (3)
1999Burnley (loan) 12 (1)
1999–2003 Burnley 135 (11)
2001–2002Wigan Athletic (loan) 6 (0)
2003–2006 Accrington Stanley 62 (1)
Total 643 (56)
Managerial career
2006–2007 Southport
2007–2012 Sligo Rovers
2012 Accrington Stanley
2012–2015 Chesterfield
2015–2017 Portsmouth
2017–2020 Wigan Athletic
2021 Ipswich Town
2022– Chesterfield
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Paul Anthony Cook (born 22 February 1967) is an English professional football manager and former player who is currently manager of EFL League Two side Chesterfield.

Cook played as a central midfielder during a playing career that spanned 23 years from 1983 until 2006, notably playing in the Premier League for Coventry City. He also played in the Football League for Wigan Athletic, Norwich City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tranmere Rovers, Stockport County and Burnley.

Cook moved into management in 2006 with Southport and later moved on to Irish side Sligo Rovers in 2007. In February 2012, he returned to English management with Accrington Stanley before moving to Chesterfield in October 2012. Cook guided Chesterfield to the League Two title in the 2013–14 season. In May 2015, he was appointed manager of League Two outfit Portsmouth after a release clause was met in his Chesterfield contract. Cook led Portsmouth to the League Two title in the 2016–17 season. In May 2017, he was appointed manager of League One club Wigan Athletic. Cook led Wigan to the League One title and promotion into the Championship. After the club fell into administration, Wigan were relegated from the Championship in the 2019–20 season following a 12-point deduction. Cook resigned as Wigan manager in July 2020. Following his departure from Wigan Athletic, Cook remained unemployed until March 2021 where he was appointed as the manager of Ipswich Town on a contract until 2023. However, Cook was relieved of his duties at Ipswich in early December 2021. Cook returned to Chesterfield as manager in February 2022. He led Chesterfield to promotion as champions in the 2023–24 season.

  1. ^ a b "Paul Cook". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  2. ^ "Paul Cook:Portsmouth attempt to keep boss after Wigan Athletic offer". BBC Sport. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  3. ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 392. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.