Kevin Nolan gets new management role | OneFootball

Kevin Nolan is back in football management.

An official announcement (see below) on Monday revealing the news.

Northampton Town giving Kevin Nolan a two and a half year contract.

The former Newcastle United star takes over at a time when the club are fifth bottom in League One.

Northampton Town official announcement – 23 December 2024:

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.”