He takes over from Matt Chatfield, who stepped down to become part of the coaching set-up under the new boss Carlton Palmer at Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division side Grantham Town.

Buxton first joined AFC Mansfield as a player back in 2012 and has gone to make over 300 appearances for the club, helping the Bulls rise up the leagues and gain promotion from the NCEL Division One five years ago.

He was made joint under-21 manager in 2020 and oversaw 9 matches in total, most recently in a beyond-closed-doors friendly at the Forest Town Arena against Dronfield Town.

Buxton told https://www.afcmansfield.net: "I'm extremely happy and proud to be appointed the manager of AFC Mansfield.

"It's obviously a club that I know very well and I thank the chairman for trusting me with the position."

Chairman Andrew Saunders added: "I'm happy Phil has accepted the position of first-team manager.

"He is someone I've known for a long time and knows the club inside out."

The Bulls have also confirmed that Joe Kearney, holder of a UEFA B Licence, will be joining Buxton in the dug-out.