Connect with us

Uncategorized

Chris Hogg speaks for first time on decision to become new Northampton Town manager

Chris Hogg speaks for first time on the decision to become new Northampton Town manager, after Kevin Nolan left the club in March.

The 41 year old held positive conversations with chairman Kelvin Thomas and technical director Colin Calderwood and shared their vision.

He stressed the importance of a hard pre-season, from the team’s mentality, to build a winning culture, to make his side’s football exciting, hard to beat, while also creating strong connection with the supporters, to get them smiling again.

Also joining Hogg at the club is Chris Doig, after compensation package was agreed with National League side Boston United.

The Cobblers, who will play in League two next season, said in a statement: “Northampton Town are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Hogg as the club’s new first team manager.

“Hogg, 41, has signed an initial 2 year contract at Sixfields and will be supported by former Northampton Town defender Chris Doig as assistant manager after the club agreed an undisclosed compensation package with Boston United for Doig’s services.

“As a player, after progressing through the academy at Ipswich Town, England youth international Hogg made nearly 200 appearances for Hibernian and Inverness before retiring at the age of 28 and moving into coaching.

“Starting out in the Ipswich Town Academy, Hogg joined the Tractor Boys first team coaching staff in 2018/19, before moving on to Newcastle United.

“He was appointed assistant head coach at MK Dons in August 2021, as the Dons finished third in League One, before moving to Oxford United in a similar role in March 2023, helping Oxford end the season strongly to avoid relegation.

“With Oxford in the top two of League One the following season, he joined Bristol City also as assistant head coach, before following Liam Manning to Norwich City in June 2025. In his time at Ashton Gate, Hogg was placed in temporary charge while Manning was absent on compassionate leave, leading the side for a short period as City eventually finished 6th in the Championship in the 2024/25 season.

“Hogg secured a UEFA B Licence when aged just 22, and is now a UEFA Pro Licence holder.

“Chris Doig made 129 appearances as a player for Northampton Town in a professional career that spanned 300 games. His coaching career has seen him hold the assistant manager position at the likes of Ipswich Town, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town and Shrewsbury Town and he was most recently with Boston United.”

“Chris Hogg was outstanding throughout the recruitment process,” said Chairman Kelvin Thomas.

“Not only in terms of how he presented to us, but in terms of the feedback we received from across the game about Chris. People who have worked with him and who have come across him have spoken very highly of Chris and how they expect him to go on and become a successful manager.

“We undertook a very detailed and thorough recruitment process and spoke to different types of managers, including some candidates who are in employment elsewhere, but we believe Chris is an excellent choice for us.

“Chris is a leader, someone who commands respect and a very good communicator. He has a lot of attributes a good manager needs.

“In terms of Chris Doig, he is a very popular and well-respected figure following his time as a player with the club and he has gone on to become an experienced coach. We welcome Chris and Chris to the club.”

Technical Director Colin Calderwood added: “Chris Hogg comes with an outstanding reputation within the game and some top class references. He is a bright, young inventive, driven and focussed individual who is ready to become a manager and who has a much broader experience of the game than many his age.

“He has an excellent body of work behind him, he has not often been at the forefront of that work publicly because of the roles he has had but he is recognised and highly respected within the game.

“I know, from being in opposition, his teams are always well organised, disciplined, hard working, structured and most importantly, that have been dangerous going forward and posed an attacking threat.

“He may have taken a different journey to become a manager than others but that groundwork can only help him moving forward.

“Chris has done his homework. He has done a thorough analysis on the club and on this group of players, what we have and what we need and he is very clear on that. He has some outstanding ideas and a lot of energy to help take us forward.

“His assistant is someone I know from his playing days. They have formed an excellent relationship from coaching courses and their time together at Ipswich and Chris Hogg was very keen to bring Chris Doig with him and we are pleased to have agreed a compensation package with Boston United to allow that to happen.”

Chris Hogg said: “I am delighted to be named as the new manager of Northampton Town Football Club.

“From the first conversations with Colin and James, and then with Kelvin, I gained a great feel for the potential of the role, and what I believe we can achieve together.

“The work has already started to try and deliver a successful season. The teams I have coached in the past have placed great value on possession of the ball, to dominate opponents, and I still value those traits, but let me be clear, this is a results business and I have always wanted to win.

“We will change the mentality and build up the connection between the players and the supporters. We want fans to show up in their numbers and see a team that fights, that plays with purpose, to attack and entertain, but also has the much needed adaptability to be hard to beat and successful in the coming season and beyond.

“I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I can’t wait to get started with the players. We know we have a lot of work to do, but I will work tirelessly for the club and for the community. I know how important this football club is to so many people, and if we all pull together – fans, players, staff, everyone – I know we can put smiles back on faces and do something special. Shoe Army!”

Here’s the social media reaction as Chris Hogg speaks for first time on the decision to become new Northampton Town manager…

@RMcCarthy98: Finally got our man, all for it, fresh approach not a merry go round manager who’s been here there and everywhere, hopefully a better of style of football coming as well. Bringing doig with him I like as well. Hopefully now the board give him some backing. 👀👞

@ntfcben_123: You know what, I’ll back that. Not fully what I was expecting but will 100% give it a chance!

@p75darb: Don’t know much about him, but if he is as successful as the Chris who managed us I’m sure we’ll all be happy

@JamesEastw19268: Played our best football when Manning took time off and he took the reins for a few games. Decent bloke, wish him all the best.

@Stew2205: Much rather a good young Coach than the other journeymen names being touted around.

@DanHarvey74: Good luck hope it goes well @ChrisHogg24 👍🏻

@adambarby18: Big risk but then I suppose any appointment has that with it. Good that we’ve gone for a coach though as that’s exactly what this group need

@VegasOx: He gave a presentation to a small group of fans when at OUFC, he was excellent a real people person. Gave the best explanation of playing out from the back I have heard, to a fan who asked why we don’t lump it!!

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Uncategorized