Page saw off plenty of competition to land top job at Cobblers

Former Port Vale boss Page was always ‘up there’ at the top of Thomas’s list of possible replacements following the departure of Chris Wilder, but the Town chairman has revealed the details of the ‘thorough process’ that was undertaken to get the right man in.

“We sat down and met with five managers, and sat down a couple of times with some of them,” said Thomas, who has handed Page a three-year deal at Sixfields.

“Myself, James (Whiting) and Mike (Wailing) were involved in the process as well, and we did it right.

“This was a thorough process because I think that is what you have to do, and it was important.

“We did it quickly as well, because people have lives and they carry on, and it was important we got it sorted so we can get into the recruitment.

“Realistically we have lost a manager and got a very good replacement in before some teams’ seasons have even finished, and I am very happy we have got it taken care of as quickly as we did.

“We are pretty focused and structured when we want to do things, and we knew we had a challenge to get a manager in to continue the success this club has seen this season.

“We are pleased to have Rob in, who we think can do that.”

Thomas is delighted to have captured Page, who is a manager he has been keeping a close eye on, and he admitted the Vale boss was one of the first names that entered his mind when it was clear Wilder was leaving.

And the Town chairman revealed that former boss Wilder was one of a clutch of people who suggested Page could be the man for the Cobblers job.

When asked if Page was high on his original list of candidates, Thomas said: “Rob was up there.

“You think about managers all the time really, because you never know what is going to happen to yours.

“So you always have an idea of what’s going on, and Rob has been mentioned to me a few times.

“I spoke to Chris when he was leaving, and he mentioned Rob as well, so he comes highly recommended.

“What is most encouraging is that I have had a lot of comments since the appointment, with people saying what a great appointment it is.

“But as we all know, every manager is a great appointment, it’s now about how we win football matches next season.”