Cotterill - who most recently managed nearby Forest Green Rovers - has been in the frame repeatedly before when the vacancy has come up at Whaddon Road.

"Other times when the job's been up - I've had plenty of conversations over the years - there's always been an interest. It's probably boiled down [this time] to me being a Cheltenham boy," he said.

Yet Cheltenham are bottom of League Two as it stands, with one win in 10 games so far this season, while they have the lowest goal scoring tally in the division with four and the most conceded with 24.

The club was taken over by former Burnley chairman Mike Garlick last month and Cotterill echoed his sentiments that the changes needed were "not a quick fix".

"This summer has been really challenging, probably challenging for Mike to get it [the takeover] ticked off by the FA. Challenging for the rest of the board waiting for Mike," Cotterill said.

"It's almost like the club was on pause for a little while."

A number of players are also out injured - defenders Robbie Cundy and Ibrahim Bakare, midfielder Harrison Sohna and...