Kevin Nolan appointed as new Northampton Town manager as former Newcastle and Bolton midfielder signs 2-and-a-half-year deal.
Kevin Nolan has been named Northampton Town’s new manager on a two-and-a-half year contract.
For the first time since being fired by Notts County in August 2018, the former West Ham first-team coach is back in a top position. Two years prior, at Leyton Orient, Nolan had his first taste of management as a player-manager.
The former Newcastle and Bolton footballer spent four years working under David Moyes at West Ham until leaving when the Scot left the team in May of this year. Since then, he has been eager to get back to frontline management. After three and a half years in charge, Jon Brady departed this month, and Nolan takes his place. The caretaker has been Ian Sampson, Brady’s assistant and former manager. Following a 5-0 loss to Charlton at home over the weekend, Northampton is currently in 20th place in League One, one spot above the relegation zone.
“I am delighted to be appointed the new manager of Northampton Town and I cannot wait to get going,” said Nolan, was also linked with the managerial vacancy at Bristol Rovers, who sacked Matt Taylor this month. “We have a busy schedule over the Christmas and New Year period so the challenge is to hit the ground running as best we can.
“The club has a fine reputation in the game as being a well run club and it is clear it has moved forward on and off the pitch over the last few seasons. I am proud and honoured to be given the chance to try and continue and develop that work. I believe the squad can make progress up the table and I am determined to repay the faith that the board of directors have shown in me.”
Northampton’s chairman, Kelvin Thomas, said: “Kevin was very impressive through the process and showed a real desire for the job. “He has done well in difficult circumstances in both of his previous managerial jobs and he impressed us with his knowledge, his energy, his experience and his passion. He showed a real desire and enthusiasm for the role, he couldn’t wait to get started and he has already taken charge of training for the first time.”