Be sure to check clutch action before going any farther.

Apply parking brake / chock rear wheels , put trans in gear , depress and hold clutch , crank engine over through a few revolutions ( turning it with a socket is fine. ) If the wheels try to turn, there are clutch release issues.

Next, lift the rear wheels / release parking brake, depress and hold clutch , try to turn drive shaft. If it does not turn, there are clutch release issues.

If you are using the M5OD ( Mazda ) integral bell housing / internal clutch slave cylinder trans, there should be a rubber plug that can be removed to check release bearing action