Colin Kazim-Richards gives his first interview on becoming new Crawley Town head coach

Colin Kazim-Richards gives his first interview on becoming new Crawley Town head coach, replacing Scott Lindsey, who was sacked on Monday.

The League Two side parted ways with Lindsay after 10 winless games. That leaves them two places above the relegation zone.

It is the first managerial role of the 39 year old’s career, he will be head coach for remainder of the 2025/26 season.

📰 COLIN KAZIM-RICHARDS JOINS AS HEAD COACH

Crawley Town Football Club is delighted to announce that Colin Kazim-Richards has joined as the club’s Head Coach for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. #TownTeamTogether🔴

— Crawley Town FC (@crawleytown) March 24, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT:

Crawley Town Football Club is delighted to announce that Colin Kazim-Richards has joined as the club’s Head Coach for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.

The former professional footballer has been plying his coaching trade in the Arsenal Youth set-up, having competed up and down the football pyramid in both England and on an international stage.

Over the years, he has consistently demonstrated strong character, resilience, and professionalism, earning the respect of teammates and staff alike. His ability to communicate effectively, motivate individuals, and manage different personalities within a squad highlights his natural leadership qualities.

Colin brings exceptional experience in leading groups of players, having frequently taken on leadership responsibilities throughout his career at various clubs. He often assumed the role of a team leader, setting standards both on and off the pitch.

Kazım-Richards began his youth career with Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal before turning professional at Bury. He later played in the Football League with Brighton & Hove Albion and moved to Premier League side Sheffield United.

After committing to Turkey internationally in 2007, he built a well-travelled career across Europe, playing for clubs including Fenerbahçe, Toulouse, Galatasaray, Olympiacos, Bursaspor and Feyenoord.

He also had spells in the United Kingdom with Blackburn Rovers, Celtic and Derby County, and later played in Brazil and Mexico for Coritiba, Corinthians, Lobos BUAP, Veracruz and Pachuca.

Between 2007 and 2015, he earned 37 caps for Turkey, scoring twice, and also represented the country at U21 and B levels.

Since his retirement, Colin has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, obtaining his coaching badges and plying his trade at all possible opportunities, including some work with the PFA.

Kazim-Richards said, as per Sussex Express: “Very excited. I’m very ready to make an impact. Obviously, the circumstances are the circumstances. I’m a realist in terms of when you understand the circumstance, it’s not by chance you’re able to find a solution.

“And it’s not a nice position but [I’m] still excited. And I know [for] Crawley fans and people watching, it’s not nice to hear that you’re excited to come into that type of situation.

“But the reason why I’m excited is because I believe that I can make an impact straight away and start turning non-results into results.

“Everybody likes to make football quite different to life in general. When is the right time to do anything? When is the right time to have a baby? When is the right time to get married?

“The situation in terms of points is not great, but this is the right time for me personally because I believe that I can get Crawley out of this situation that we’re in control of at the moment. We’re still in control of it.

“So, why am I the right guy? Because I’m still driven. It’s not a hidden question that people are going to say: “Well, you’ve never been a head coach.” I’ve never been a head coach, and that’s why I understand the impact I need to make straight away.”

He added: “I’m not living off the title from before, what I’ve done before. I need to do it now. I need to do it in today’s training session. I need to do it tomorrow. Every day is a day I need to make the impact. So, I’m still driven in a current way of coaching – a people-first coach.

“Knowing the realities – it’s not just players. There’s so many different branches to making a successful team on the pitch – all the backroom staff, yourselves. So, why is it the right time now? Because I know the impact that I can create.”

“I’m very, very, very confident. I wouldn’t have taken this job if I wasn’t confident – that goes without saying. That’s all just words. I’m a person that is – show me, don’t tell me. I think this generation as well, they work with that. That’s their saying – show me, don’t tell me.

“I can sit here and say to you: “I’m going to do this. I’m going to do that.” I like to go and do my job. I don’t really want to talk too much about it. I’m a show me, don’t tell me type of person.

“I’ve been in relegation battles with four different teams five different times. From being 18, my first professional season, to being a seasoned pro at 18 with Bury. Being a seasoned pro at Derby – I know what it takes, and it’s not easy.

“But do you know what? In life, nothing’s easy, but when you understand what you’re in and you know where you’re going, it is quite, not easy to execute it, but it’s easy to understand the situation you’re in. And what I’m bringing is understanding [of] what it takes to get out of this situation, and what the players will need and what support they will need, what the staff will need.

“Every person, especially in Europe, South America – if you speak to them, they’ve got an opinion on football [and] a way to play, etc. But not a lot of people understand what it takes, so, right now, what it takes and for the players to understand what it takes is that there’s families and futures and careers on the line and there’s peoples’ families and futures and careers that can’t actually impact what’s going on the pitch. The players have the control.”

On his man-management style: “I will tell you the truth, but it’s because I care. It’s not a truth and it’s not a conversation that’ll be like: “Maybe right now is not the right time, but it will happen tomorrow.”

“You might not hear what I like to say, but it’s something that needs to be said because the benefit is for Crawley to get out of this – where we are right now.”

Club Owner Raphael Khalili said:

“Following a thorough and highly competitive recruitment process, Colin distinguished himself as an outstanding candidate. He is a natural leader with extensive experience in the dressing room, and we firmly believe he is the right person to guide the club forward at this important time.

Colin enjoyed a highly accomplished playing career and brings a wealth of experience across all levels of the game. That depth of knowledge will be invaluable given our current situation. Just as importantly, he has the ability to connect with players, inspire confidence, and foster a strong, unified environment within the squad.

His ambition, determination, and clear vision for success made a strong impression on us. We are confident that under his leadership, he will install belief throughout the team and deliver a positive and sustained improvement in results.”

Crawley Town confirmed that manager Scott Lindsey and Assistant Manager Neil Smith had left the club.

Club Owner Raphael Khalili said: “This was not an easy decision for the club. Scott has given this club some everlasting memories, which we will all be eternally grateful for.

“Unfortunately, results have not been at a high enough standard. Scott leaves the club with my highest regards, and I truly wish him and his family the very best for the future.

Scott Lindsey said, per Sussex Express: “Disappointed with the outcome of the game. However, I think [the] first half was two teams cancelling each other out a lot. I don’t think there was much in that first half.

“And then second half, I thought the goal was poor, but we limited them to very little after that and we were the team striding forward to try and get something. And we showed character – I thought we showed the same desire as we’ve shown in the last three games.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t get that elusive goal today. There was a penalty shout on (Harry) McKirdy. [I] watched it back – it’s a penalty, but we didn’t do enough to win the game.

“I’m proud of the players because they showed real fight, desire to keep going. I thought we were the better team, certainly in that second half anyway.

“I thought we were the better team, and we were all out to try and get back into that game. I thought there was a real clear penalty shout that we don’t get – maybe it looks different if we do get that.”

On the goal they conceded: “It was a half chance, as well. It was a scruffy goal from them. He came inside the pitch from the right-hand-side too easily – we’ve got to defend that action better.

“But then he gets to the edge of the box, and I don’t know how he’s got his shot away but it’s crept into the bottom corner. And we’re not getting that.”

On his side’s performances before and after the break: “I just asked the players: ‘Why can’t we start the game like we did in the second half?’ And I think there’s probably an element of nerves and anxiousness of where we are in the table. I felt that the first half was a bit scruffy, untidy at times. It cancelled each other out. They had chances, we had chances – it was a nothing game in that first half. It ebbed and flowed a little bit.

“But that second half, it was one-way traffic for me. They had a couple of breakaways where we’re throwing bodies forward, but we were the team looking to score and get back into that game – and not to be today.

“I think it’s similar character, similar performance from the last three games. We just didn’t get the goal like we have done in [two of] the last three games. We’re hurting a little bit in there, and I’ve got to pick the players up, get them down the road and get ready for another big one next week.

“They (Fleetwood) could potentially get into the play-offs still, so it’s not an easy game that. The pitch isn’t great. We get (Geraldo) Bajrami after 10 minutes coming off the pitch, which knocks us.

“We have to change the personnel about a little bit which wasn’t easy. There’s lots of factors why we didn’t start as bright as we saw in the second half, but I still think we were the better team in the game.”

Here’s the social media reaction after Colin Kazim-Richards gives his first interview on becoming the new Crawley Town head coach…

@jaisra02: I’ve got a good relationship with Erdem but really can’t get behind appointing a mate as a manager when the club is where it is at the moment. Shambolic appointment and a massive f*** you to the fans.

@WycombeDJ:
From someone on the outside:
What the fuck?

@Tidy_Yid: Absolutely bizarre appointment. No professional managerial experience, yet appointed for a relegation fight. Strange statement too. Good playing career doesn’t translate to good manager.

@chrislord: Let’s get behind him and the boys, it looks like a big gamble, hope it pays off 🙏

@FreddieM_ctfc: Gotta get behind him and the team but this is a huge risk and could be a big mistake. I know who I’d rather in charge for the last 7 games…

@Stevefootball1: The negative comments get on my nerves, yes we could of got someone with experience & should of, it’s official now we need to back him & the team if we want a chance to stay up. Judge it end of the season literally nothing we can do now BUT support the team.

@danp_89: SCREAMS a job for the boys. There is no doubt we are gambling here with people’s lives and careers. How on earth we can put our football league status in the hands of a bloke who has been coaching kids is beyond me. We may well stay up, but this appointment at this time? Christ.

@CrawleyRumors:
The statement is a joke
Wtf does the playing career have to do with the managerial career
Fuck off
“Highly competitive”

@dannyb0y1969: I’m as shocked as everyone, but maybe we give him a chance? It can’t really turn out worse than the previous 8 months can it? We’ve been on a major downwards trajectory for 2 years now!

@ItzNathan0: Getting rid of Scott was the right decision. This wasn’t entirely what I had in mind though

@h62965: Saw the light at the end of the tunnel by sacking Scott just for it to be a train

@FalknerJosh: Genuinely lost for words … 7 games to go & fighting for our EFL survival and we’re bringing in someone with no real managerial experience. Whether it works or not, I’m honestly shocked that the owners are taking such a gamble at such a crucial point. National league awaits …

@ctfcJake: Preston Johnson has more managerial experience

@ctfc_b: Can’t write anyone off immediately, but fuck me it doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence. Seems an utterly mental decision to put someone with this little experience in charge of such a big 7 games.