Notts County cause a stir with fans as they explain their decision to appoint Martin Paterson

League Two club Notts County cause a stir with fans on social media as they explain their decision to appoint Martin Paterson.

Martin Paterson, a 38-year-old former Northern Ireland international with 200 appearances in England’s top two tiers, has been appointed as the new head coach of Notts County, as replacement for the departed Stuart Marnard who guided the club to the playoffs but lost in the semi final.

He previously led Burton Albion to League One safety in 2023-24 and served as Assistant Head Coach at multiple EFL clubs and Inter Miami.

Paterson aims to bring intensity, directness, and a hard-working, organised style to the team while maintaining the club’s ball-dominant identity.

Judging by the fans reaction, it hasn’t gone down as well as the club expected.

Martin Paterson has been appointed as our new Head Coach – with Andy Edwards and Sam Slocombe also taking on key coaching roles.

— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) June 22, 2025

CLUB STATEMENT:

Martin Paterson has been appointed as our new Head Coach – with Andy Edwards and Sam Slocombe also taking on key coaching roles.

Since calling time on a lengthy playing career as a forward, which included 200 appearances in England’s top two tiers and 22 caps for Northern Ireland, 38-year-old Paterson has gone on to build an impressive coaching CV.

He most notably led Burton Albion to League One safety during a short-term spell as their manager in the second half of the 2023-24 season, while he has also been Assistant Head Coach to Michael Duff at three EFL clubs – as well as to Phil Neville at MLS side Inter Miami.

Director of Football (formerly Head of Football) Roberto Gagliardi said: “We’re hugely excited to introduce Martin as our new Head Coach.

“Despite still being in the early stages of what we believe will be a tremendously successful coaching career, Martin has been entrusted with several senior roles, both in the UK and USA, by highly-respected figures within the game.

“In our conversations with him it’s been clear that he shares our vision of playing dynamic, progressive football and, as much as the club’s DNA will remain the same in terms of our desire to dominate the ball, we believe he may bring more intensity and directness to our play.

“Martin wants his teams to be extremely hard-working, well-organised and difficult to play against – characteristics which were key to his success at Burton having become their manager in very challenging circumstances.

“We believe we can provide the environment for Martin to demonstrate his true capabilities as a Head Coach and we thoroughly look forward to working with him.”

Our owners Chris and Alex Reedtz added: “In our discussions with Martin he has demonstrated immense passion, determination and ambition – underpinned by a fixation on winning.

“We’ve spoken with him at length about our vision for the club and how he’ll fit into our structure and he’s excited to play a leading role in our new approach.”

Edwards and Slocombe, meanwhile, have been appointed to the positions of Assistant Head Coach and First Team Coach respectively.

Edwards, who holds the UEFA Pro Licence, joins us from the FA, where he has coached England’s development teams since 2017.

He previously worked in Arsenal’s academy and in various roles at Leyton Orient after finishing a playing career which saw him win promotions as a defender for Southend United, Peterborough United and Rushden and Diamonds.

Gagliardi said: “I had the pleasure of working with Andy at Leyton Orient, where he progressed from Academy Manager into a number of senior first-team coaching roles.

“His tactical understanding and knowledge of the game left a lasting impression on me – as did his leadership qualities and ability to adapt to the very challenging circumstances the club found itself in at the time.

“Andy’s a widely-respected coach with a firm, fair and inclusive style which has supported the development of England’s best emerging players over the last eight years – his knowledge of whom we believe can help with our recruitment strategies.

“He brings valuable knowledge of our division having previously coached at League Two level and, with a long and successful playing career behind him, his vast experience will be key to our success.”

Slocombe, meanwhile, has extended his six-year stay at Meadow Lane by accepting the role of First Team Coach.

The former goalkeeper, who was our longest-serving player, is currently studying for his UEFA A Licence.

Chris and Alex said: “Sam, of course, needs little introduction to our supporters. He’s a brilliant character with a genuine love for the club and excellent relationships within the squad.

“Beyond that, he’s already demonstrated his immense promise as a coach by stepping up to support our first-team staff in recent times.

“We’re delighted to give him the opportunity to take his first steps into a full-time coaching role and we know that, alongside Andy, he will be a tremendous support to Martin.”

Edwards and Slocombe will join Paterson, our owners, Gagliardi and Director of Performance Dr David Rhodes on a newly-formed Technical Board which will meet regularly to discuss football strategy, team and player performance, data insights and other matters.

Ahead of each match, relevant members of the Technical Board will share views relating to tactical approach and team selection, taking into account factors such as player fitness and readiness, data modelling and opposition analysis. Paterson, as Head Coach, will have ultimate decision-making responsibility for each game plan.

Post-match meetings will also take place, enabling the coaching team to explain in-game decisions and for a data-led review of the match to be presented, including insights on physical and technical outputs of the team and individuals.

The Technical Board will also develop a process to support the coaching team in making more effective in-game decisions. This will involve supplying a variety of data-led metrics, analysis and insights to the dugout in as near to real-time as possible.

Chris and Alex said: “To provide greater context around our decision to form a Technical Board, Notts County is one of only a few clubs in the world to have its own bespoke data model. This model forms the framework of our company, Football Radar, which is highly adept at rating players, predicting outcomes and analysing performances.

“Over the past six years we have been gradually implementing our model at the club, a process which naturally takes time, and we’ve seen good progress on the pitch as well as positive steps towards financial sustainability.

“However we believe that, in order to make further progress towards our ambitious goals, now is the time to make an even stronger commitment to our model – hence our desire to create a structured framework which enables specialist individuals to give their own perspective on various aspects of the club’s football strategy, while also ensuring that the rationale behind important decisions are fully understood by everyone.”

As mentioned, Notts County cause a stir with fans as they explain their decision to appoint Martin Paterson…

@NickWhiting17: Probably on my own here but I’m happy to see Slocombe back

@notts_twit: Not sure the explanation of how the new system will work has helped, makes it sound like the owners are having a huge say in the running of the team, pre, post and in game. This has never worked.

@malone_msm: Not Happy but it is what it is but the way it reads that the tactics board will pick the team its going to be a Long season sometimes I wished that I’d waited to buy my season ticket it’s just been done on the cheep I’m afraid

@BigTom0491: How much impact will the head coach really have on the team? With a head of performance and a DOF meeting him every game and recommending selection and changes to make during the game! Then after every game having a discussion, either be a big success or all mighty failure

@tomscottt97: No wonder no serious manager wanted to come to us. A meeting before the game for the “technical board” to decide the team is a joke imo.

@ARLukomski: Should’ve appointed one of the Carabao bottles

@arniebats: Led Burton to Safety? They were 17th when he was appointed then only survived on the final day… This could turn toxic if he starts badly. Huge risk here

@Bottman94: 4 weeks for this guy’s

@notts_twit: Does this feel rushed out? I know we’ve waited a month for this but why only internet searched images, surely we could waited until Tuesday and got him pictured at ML?

@JeremysFoodTour: Obviously (or hopefully) they have a lot more info on him) that they believe will make him successful. But what has he done to prove this? I can’t see much to be optimistic about. Time will tell. 🙏

@AaronM_123:
“Paterson has gone on to build an impressive coaching CV”
He’s got a 25% win rate lads, what’s impressive about that?

@BYncfc: The only thing I like about this is Sam slocombe being goalkeeper coach

@94FACupWinner: I guess the only positive is Sam slocombe

@Jordyyyshaww: People hounded Stuart out for this appointment. Extremely underwhelming.

@Itfp27: could you let me know ticket office opening times so i can ring to refund my season ticket please 👍🏼

@_AndyK__: @Official_NCFC fans. Don’t get fixed on the 25% win rate. He took over Burton half way through a season when they were already struggling. The negativity from day one won’t help anything. He is now in charge of the Pies. Back the man. Back the club. There’s a new season ahead.

@NeilRibbens: Extremely deflating appointment. Disappointed season ticket holder here. I hope he can prove me very wrong and obviously I hope that’s the case, but doesn’t feel like it will at this time!

@MagpiesMeltdown: Not even a “we’re delighted to announce”. I think even admin know this is a shocker.

@thecraftymagpie: Another step closer to having empty seats around me 😍

@MeadowLane1862:
Is this a joke
This is taking the piss
Our owners have lost the plot

@jonnyupt: There is zero chance we’ve waited over a month to appoint him, without being rejected by several before. Strap in 😬

@stevierobatkins: For all the good that the brothers have done, they’ve lost touch with the fanbase and we the fans are slowly loosing touch with the model.

@H_Ho11and: Delighted to keep slocombe at the club. Will back Paterson all the way 100%. Got to trust the owners- they must see something in him. Just a bizarre signing after 4 weeks and all the names possible

@Danny40906984: Wow all that wait for such an underwhelming appointment first time I’ve really stared worry about what direction we are taking !! Not happy !!

@panthersnottm5: I don’t care what all you nodding yes fans say this is a awful appointment the atmosphere is going to be very toxic and the crowds are going to dwindle down again the club is going backwards and it hurts me to say that as I’ve been a fan for almost 49 years. Prove me wrong 🙏🙏

@194Royc: Weeks and weeks of negotiations, and this is the man you have decided is going to take us to league 1, a 5 win manager ? 😱 How much you paying him ? £100 a week. And £50 a win ? , so this guy is better than anything out there, Ok I’ll give him a chance.

@theboygosling: We’re one step away from being managed by AI. This will either be a sensational success or a disastrous failure. I’m going into it with an open mind, but my god if this doesn’t work I dread to think what it will be like

@joshproctor1231: First time I’ve questioned the brothers tonight. Do they really think he’s better than Maynard? No wonder no other experienced manager wanted the job. Not happy.

@Boothy2005: Success at burton 😭😭 he had a 25 percent win rate

If it delivers more intensity and directness in our play as stated then……. 👍. As with any new manager or player – I will reserve judgement until I see what is delivered for us. Good luck to all on the new coaching team/board/panel thingy pic.twitter.com/uq3vADrEEe

— Richard Cooper🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿⬛️⬜️ (@Coops138) June 22, 2025