Notts County confirm appointment of new head coach

Notts County have chosen to confirm the appointment of their new head coach following the departure of Neal Ardley on Wednesday.

They parted company with their first-team manager as well as their assistant manager Greg Abbott, leaving the club 6th in the National League table and hoping to try and keep hold of a playoff place.

Ardley, who took charge in November 2018, but has now departed from his role following an amicable meeting with the owners Chris and Alex Reedtz.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Burchnall as our new head coach. https://t.co/61cGbpoF0f

— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) March 25, 2021

CLUB STATEMENT:

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Burchnall as our new head coach. Burchnall, 38, arrives with eight years’ experience working in the Scandinavian top tiers and is regarded as one of football’s most exciting young coaches.

Possessing a background in youth coaching, Burchnall’s first senior role came as Brian Deane’s assistant at Norwegian side Sarpsborg in 2012. He then took the same job at Viking FK, paving the way for him to become their manager in 2017.

Off-field issues led to his departure, much to the disappointment of Viking’s supporters, but he was quickly invited to move across the Swedish border to replace now-Brighton manager Graham Potter at Ostersund FK.

Potter had led the club on a meteoric rise through the Swedish football system, culminating in the club’s remarkable qualification for the Europa League, and Burchnall, who had previously worked with Potter while coaching university football in Leeds, was chosen as the man to fill his boots.

Despite the club’s decision to sell numerous key players, Burchnall led Ostersund to a sixth-place finish, one point and a place below the record set by Potter the previous year.

His second season began strongly before off-field problems emerged once again, eventually leading Burchnall to leave his post last summer to pursue his next opportunity in the UK.

And our owners, Chris and Alex Reedtz, are thrilled that Burchnall has chosen Meadow Lane as his next destination.

“We are tremendously excited to welcome Ian to the role of head coach,” said Chris and Alex.

“As part of our ongoing extensive research, we compile detailed profiles of many different coaches and Ian stands out as an outstanding prospect.

“Despite his young age, he has tremendous experience of working in top-flight football and has been linked with several international and club roles since his departure from Ostersund. We feel very lucky to have him and have every confidence that he is the right man to complement our model.

“It’s our hope that Ian will be able to continue our push for promotion this season but we understand it will take him time to fully implement our philosophy. He is a long-term appointment for this club and his performance in the role will be judged on that basis.

“We think supporters will share our appreciation of Ian’s passion for coaching and his willingness to take risks and meet difficult challenges head-on, as he did during his time in Scandinavia, and we’re very excited to see him lead the team for the first time in Saturday’s Buildbase FA Trophy semi-final against AFC Hornchurch.”

Burchnall will be assisted by former Scotland and Rangers full-back Maurice Ross, who has also coached in Scandinavia before most recently being Motherwell’s first-team coach.

Chris and Alex will introduce their new head coach to the media this afternoon.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Fans gave their reaction as Notts County confirm the appointment of new head coach Ian Burchnall…

@charliecapewel8: i’m excited to see what he can do he’s regarded as one of the most exciting young couches

@lewisjackson__: Seems like a really good appointment

@tomhwilliams23: What an appointment!

@joshtidyy: Sounds an exciting appointment. Time for everyone to forget about Ardley and get behind Ian.

@GedlingPie: Head coach. Called it. Good luck to him.

@jimmyjumpship: Let’s hope these ‘off field issues’ don’t materialise for a 3rd time 😬.

@chogger5: That is the one worrying bit what were the ‘off field’ issues?

@Johnnysmalls78: No clue, good luck, fella

@stema_steve: Huge risk by the brothers here, hope it works out be interesting to see how the players react too.

@salbre81: I’m happy with this

@conr0: Doyler is older than this bloke…

@magpie_gunner: Great choice and great move from the owners!! Definitely approve

@Grabbz09: The work experience lad got lucky didn’t he?

@11MerryMen1: The Ostersunds alumni! A few years ago I saw the Swedish side beat the Arsenal at the Emirates. They were coached by a guy named Graham Potter! It’s good to see young coaches try their luck overseas…

@pledge80: Last two jobs he’s left because of off the field issues, this not a warning sign?, Good luck though hope he delivers and gets the club back where it belongs

@bramley_roger: Yeah, but was they his issues, or the clubs issues? Or a mixture. I understand the concern. All we can do is wait and see.

@VinnieVonStarr1: So reading his bio.. we have swapped a manager who took us to 3rd in the league last season and 6th this season for a manager who took a side to erm.. 6th in the table. “Head Coach” worries me too, who will be picking the team? Seriously underwhelmed by this appointment.

@arniebats: Seems a good appointment. If he gets us promoted this season, it’s a masterstroke. If we don’t, we have a massive chance next season.

@H4rrisonholland: Worked under Graham Potter, if he plays like his philosophy were in for a treat, fast attacking play…

@MikeMcKenna_: “Head coach”. A change in structure, then.

Reaction continued as Notts County confirm the appointment of their new head coach…

@PinxtonPie88: Head coach, so this means DOF or radar doing the scouting and signing. Could Be a very nice move. A bit like how the Americans have head coach and a general manager

@jaketowers1997: Seems like a good appointment this can’t wait to see what he brings #letsgo concerned about the off field stuff tho but believe in the process

@joefriess: What an exciting appointment.

@HollyFowler100: He might be unknown to us, but so were a lot of the players we signed who have turned out to be some of the best in the league. Don’t prejudge him before he starts.

@Ali_Mac90: What an appointment by Notts County that is, if only we had some guts!

@HBnotts: An interesting appointment… got to hit the ground running. So good luck to him

@haroldHammond: Sad to see Ardley go but I do think it was the right decision, and this is EXACTLY what I wanted to see for a replacement. If Osterunds chose him to take over Potter then there must be similarities, and we are in for a treat! So excited for the future

@mattlockrhodes: Interesting appointment from Notts County. Pretty left field choice.

@pogester: Interesting move. Certainly seems to fit the ideology of the owners but seems like the kind of decision decision would have made more sense in the summer. Almost feels like the brothers are writing this season off!