Kevin Nolan speaks for the first time on becoming the new Northampton Town manager

Kevin Nolan speaks for the first time on becoming the new Northampton Town manager, with a statement being issued confirming the news.

The Cobblers have appointed Kevin Nolan, with the former West Ham and Newcastle captain signing a two and a half year deal.

He takes immediate charge, ahead of the Boxing Day fixture away at Reading and will be supported by Ian Sampson, Marc Richards and James Alger.

Northampton currently sit 20th in the League One table with 21 points from 21 games played, and are 2 points above the drop zone, but teams around them have game(s) in hand.

✍️ We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Kevin Nolan as Manager of Northampton Town.

Welcome to the Cobblers, Kevin! 👋 #ShoeArmy 👞 https://t.co/iOi0NYIg7t

— Northampton Town (@ntfc) December 23, 2024

STATEMENT:

Northampton Town have appointed Kevin Nolan as the club’s new manager on a two and a half year contract.

As a player, Nolan appeared as a midfielder for Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United and West Ham United, spending much of his career in the top flight of English football as he scored 69 goals and made over 400 appearances in the Premier League.

Nolan started his management career with a brief spell in charge of Leyton Orient as player manager, winning seven of his fifteen games, before becoming the manager of Notts County in January 2017, who were towards the bottom of League 2 at the time, having lost their previous ten matches and in desperate trouble.

He oversaw a huge turnaround as he steered the Magpies away from relegation danger in his first half season, before leading them to the play offs the following season, becoming a hugely popular figure at the club. He maintained a win ratio of over 40% at both Leyton Orient and Notts County.

Nolan was appointed first team coach at West Ham United in February 2020, a position he held for over four years before leaving the club after the departure of David Moyes in May 2024 and was most recently assistant head coach of the England under 20 side.

“Kevin was very impressive through the process and showed a real desire for the job,” said Chairman Kelvin Thomas.

“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.

“He has been a leader throughout his career. Whether that be as a player where he was a Premier League captain of some distinction, to his managerial career where he enjoyed success at both of his previous clubs in difficult circumstances, to being a successful coach back in the Premier League, he has a hugely impressive CV.

“He is also very well connected and respected throughout the game. He has a fine record of working with players at all levels and of all ages and we are excited to welcome Kevin to the club.

“Kevin has been held in high esteem by both players and supporters of his previous clubs and we are delighted to have been able to secure his services for Northampton Town.

“Our immediate target is to try and move up the table and while we understand we have challenges to overcome, we believe Kevin is well placed to lead us forward on that.”

Kevin Nolan himself added: “I am delighted to be appointed the new manager of Northampton Town and I cannot wait to get going. 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.

“We don’t have any time to lose, it might be Christmas but we have a lot of work to do in a short space of time and I hope the supporters will come with us as we start our journey. We will need their backing and I can promise them we will be doing all we can to turn the results around.”

Kelvin Thomas continued: “Kevin will be ably supported by the current staff who will remain in their roles while we expect to be able to confirm an additional experienced appointment in the near future to complete a very strong football staff.”

Thank you to manager sponsors Sixfields Travel Club for their ongoing support.

Here’s how fans reacted as Kevin Nolan speaks for the first time on becoming the new Northampton Town manager…

@AndyOverton29: Welcome, and good luck Kevin! #ShoeArmy

@H_Whitworth204: A very very clever appointment on the face of things, a man full of different experiences that will transfer to give him the best chance of success 👍

@JoshGenera47756: I REALLY hope Rico can stay on in his role or maybe more? 🤔… But more than happy for him to appoint his own 2IC, clever appointment for the constraints were working under… I’m finally happy with a decision from NTFC for once 🤣🤣

@Martin84432128: good enough. let’s hope he plays attacking football also needs 3 bring in5or 6new player’s in January let’s hope all the best 👍

@deb_the_dj: Interesting appointment. Good luck Kevin.

@MattTootle: About time someone gave him a chance again, one of if not the best person I’ve met in football and no doubt he will do an amazing job at Northampton 🙌🏻 good luck Gaffa 👊🏻

@dom2004: Excellent 👍🏻 hope it goes well for him

@WHU_Nathan: Hope he does well

@Chaz_B_Cole: Delighted for Kevin! Northampton getting a great one, wishing nothing but the best for him. ⚒️

@MarkHarrison23: Looking forward to see how he gets on there

@Domiyyyyyyy: We will bloody well take that

@RMcCarthy98: Over a 40% win ratio and 5 years a coach at West Ham, much better appointment than some are making out, we were never gonna get a glorious name, he’s got a point to prove as have these players now

@GvoMikez: Rooting for Northampton. Good luck Nolan

@TheShoeArmy1897: Not sure how I feel. We’ve had a personality ex-Prem player before… stylistically I’m not sure what I’ve heard of his time at Notts County either. Plus I don’t think he particularly cares about the club or are, it’s just a job to him. But I’ll get behind him. Just win some games please!