Northampton Town are on the hunt for a new manager after the sacking of Kevin Nolan, a day after a 1-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon.
Callum Maycock’s 11 minute opener saw the Wombles remain 14th in the League One table but move 10 points clear of the drop zone, while the Cobblers are three points from safety.
Nolan leaves with the Cobblers picking up only one win in their past 16 league matches, and are the second lowest scorers in the league. Just 10 games remain to save their season.
Northampton Town Football Club have parted company with manager Kevin Nolan.#ShoeArmy đź‘žhttps://t.co/ITLVIuSDLQ
— Northampton Town (@ntfc) March 9, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Northampton Town Football Club have parted company with manager Kevin Nolan.
Technical Director Colin Calderwood will take charge of first team matters until further notice, assisted by Ian Sampson.
Chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “We are sorry to have to take this decision, but unfortunately as we all know, football is very results based.
“We will always be grateful to Kevin for his hard work here, he helped keep us up last season and we enjoyed a strong first half of this season but since Christmas the sequence of performances and results have led us to believe a change is in the best interests of all concerned.
“We are fortunate to have someone of Colin’s experience, supported by Ian Sampson and the rest of the staff to look after matters on an interim basis.
“Kevin leaves with our thanks and our best wishes and we wish him well for the future.”
Alan Sheehan, Ryan Lowe and Mark Kennedy have been tipped as those who the club must consider, according to Football League World, while Off The Line Blog have gone for Andy Peaks. Andy Woodman is also a name rumoured.
Kevin Nolan felt the first half performance cost is side in the 1-0 defeat away at AFC Wimbledon on Sunday.
“It’s a really tough one but the reality is we just weren’t good enough in the first half,” he said.
“The changes helped and the second half was better, their keeper was man of the match, but it’s another game gone.
“We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, you have to give credit to Wimbledon, they are a good side and they have had some really good results here.
“We’ve got a week on the training ground now where we can work on a few things and that is going to be vital.
“I’ve been in these situations before and you have to scrap your way out of it.
“We are in a tough place right now but we know what we have to do and we have to start picking up wins quickly.
“We are in a poor run of form, there are reasons for that but there are no excuses, we are where we are and we have to get ourselves out of it.
“The relentless schedule has affected us but it’s up to us now to fight our way out of it.
“I’m up for the fight, we’ve got a good group and they are hurting. We should have got something out of the game today but we haven’t and the reality is we started the game too slow and we got punished.
“We’ve won one game in 16 and I’m not shying away from that. We are in a dogfight and I am up for the fight. We need to stick together in these moments because that’s the only way you get out of it.”
Here’s how fans reacted with Northampton Town on the hunt for a new manager after the sacking of Kevin Nolan…
@beardking12: No one wants to see someone lose their job but sadly this had to happen. Thank you Kev for all you have done.
@LankyCobbler: Understand we need a caretaker but a full clear out is required. This alone is not enough
@cobblerscoombsy: Bring on the great escape
@CraigyBoyBes: Another club serious about staying up. Then there’s us….. #rufc
@VintageCobbler: Kevin Nolan did not inspire but he has been made the scapegoat for the serious failings Chairman Thomas & directors. Supporters are paying the price of the owners’ focus and money being on land development & not football development. A shambles. Be gone.
@DanSurridge9: All the best Kev, massively let down by the board in January. I’m gutted it never worked out as I believe with a bit of backing you would have got us where need to be. I’m sure you’ll get another job soon. 🤝 #ShoeArmy đź‘ž
@Domiyyyyyyy: Nice bloke, but not the right fit ultimately. His football was a tiring watch & the sacking should have come after Vale. I’m sure he’ll do well as a coach.
@Harry9054029712: i did like kev tbf shame it didn’t work out
@Kyle_Williams78: Time to fuck off the players as well now then
@SummersA7: Don’t like seeing anyone getting the bullet, but it’s 5 games too late imo. Up til Xmas was really decent, we were aggressive, but lost our way badly. The heavy loss at Burton, absolutely killed us. Then losses to Rotherham, Orient & Vale should’ve been the final straw tbh. ⬇️
@Iest_ntfc: Thanks for the Boro result Kev but your football was diabolical this season.
@Phil89Dale: Get Peaksy and Champs in! They will sort this mess out!
@cobblerscasual: Right decision about 3 weeks too late, let’s hope we can turn this around come on you cobblers #NTFC
@AndyWimpress: Sad to see any manager go, but it’s become too toxic now. Not all the managers fault, not getting a striker in January has hurt us. Not sure the temporary solution is any different
@Mark_cobbler: Are the board actually going to back the next manager ?
@OliChambo03: Get Andy Peaks in now, should’ve done it last time round. Don’t make the same mistake twice! #ntfc
@KB127: So one part of a losing setup goes, but two more fully involved in the failure are expected to sort it out? This is window dressing.
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