New Cobblers manager could bring his own staff with him
Whoever is appointed as the next Northampton Town manager will have the option of bringing their owns staff with them, according to Kelvin Thomas.
Technical director Colin Calderwood, who took caretaker charge after Kevin Nolan’s departure in March, recently suggested that the existing staff would remain in place once a new manager comes in.
Nolan brought Calderwood with him when he was named Cobblers boss in December 2024 but otherwise the club’s structure has remained largely unchanged. Ian Sampson assisted Calderwood in the final few weeks of the season. Marc Richards is back with the first-team after a period with the under-18s, and James Alger has worked as goalkeeping coach since 2021.
"It's very much a fluid situation,” said Thomas. “You'd never mandate to a manager what they should do. Our history shows that managers have come in with their own people, but some don't want to change the staff.
"I'll defend our staff because they're a good group. It's been a terrible three months but we had a good four and a half years before that so we won't go crazy, as disappointing and as embarrassing as it has been.
"It's very fluid. There might be some changes and some moving around but it's part of the conversation. If someone wants to bring in an assistant or a coach with them, of course we'll have a discussion.”
One criticism directed the club’s way was the failure to replace Nolan with an external appointment when he left in March.
"Circumstances dictated it a little bit,” Thomas added. “Kevin going and having Colin and the staff step in was a sensible decision at the time but that proved to be wrong and we all accept that and take it on the chin.
"Those are the responsibilities we have and it didn't impact results as we hoped so you'll always question that decision. I'm not convinced that there was anyone who jumped out at us that would be available in the short-term or who we felt would be right for the long-term.
"It didn't work out and we have to accept that and we accept any criticism that comes our way."
On whether Cobblers should have sacked Kevin Nolan sooner, Thomas said: "You always look at timing but you can't look back too much. Obviously we'll learn but it's hindsight in the end and I've always been one to look forward. You review things, and we have done, but we're going to concentrate on what's to come.”