Williams is Favourite [New Head Coach speculation thread]

[ManchesterMagpie]

I dont get this affection for Williams. He only ever achieved anything at none league level, and then we were very fortunate.. You could say he left us 6th in the division, but so did Maynard.

I know you're saying. And the jury is still out for me on whether he'd be a success a second time around (I wouldn't necessarily be against it). But I do think we need to find a similar character with the same attributes he had and who are prepared to work the 'Notts Way'. Easier said than done I guess...

[bule1]

There is bound to be affection for Williams as he is the 1st one to get us promoted since the 2009/10 season. Agreed it was from none league but that was where we were so that was his job and all he could do.

[slack_pie]

I think it's less about them having a blind spot to appointing a successful and effective leader, and more about them not being able to attract an experienced coach who is prepared to work in the way that our owners want them to (ie. as a Head Coach and not as a 'traditional' Manager being responsible for recruitment etc). It's clear that these owners will not change their model - which to be fair has been fairly successful to date - so any new Head Coach looking for a new role will have to accept that model if they want to come to Notts. It's a big part of their Job Description and only a certain type of coach would be happy to work that way. Luke Williams, Ian Burchnall and Neal Ardley were happy with these arrangements and it generally worked for them.

I agree with you on the Leadership element though. Luke was the right kind of character, big on discipline and he was respected by the players who would run through walls for him. Remember that 'never say die' attitude which saw us come back so many times during the promotion season, including the infamous Borehamwood play-off game? Luke instilled that mentality in the players. Maynard clearly couldn't inspire them and (with all respect) his interviews used to bore a lot of fans so imagine his influence in the dressing room!

Now if only there was another coach like Luke Williams available....

Very true. I've said before that the type of character we need is the type of character who will want to come in and run the whole show, including recruitment, so our strategy self-selects for coaches with less dominant personalities.

As you say, it worked with LW, and LW is available and presumably would consider a return on the right terms. It all makes too much sense, which is why it probably won't happen. Our owners will want to find the next Luke Williams, not the Luke Williams.

[MetalMagpie62]

I?m not fussed on who we have as head coach I trust the bros, they haven?t really got anything wrong yes you can say January transfer was bad but was they bad or was it just Maynard not being able to get the best out of them or any of the players for that matter in the bros we trust

[BigFatPie]

Ive no idea whether these things are linked or not but some of the lower league vacancies are getting filled. Tom Cleverley lined up for Plymouth and Brian Barry Murphy for Cardiff.

I cant remember Notts not having a head coach/manager for more than 3 weeks and its making me twitchy.

[theadissey]

There's somewhat a point about the "type" of manager being a leader. Like others have said, we were lucky to fit the mould of head coach with all the favourable characteristics that the bro's wanted with Williams. I'd even say it was a desirable but not essential that the manager would have to be a motivator, so we were extra lucky there.

But saying that they had/have a blind spot is a bit harsh; I'd say judge that after this next manager, because if you look at it, Maynard was always gonna pale in comparison against Williams, especially as he was a tad dry and never seemed to be personable via his interviews, unlike Williams. Ardley wasn't their appointment, Burchnall was a halfway house between Williams and Maynard - but needed to show umph when needed, so it's hardly 3 an out for leadership, it's more 1.5 - 1.5 evens. I do think they'll have learnt a lot in this last managerial appointment, given they've had to be more hands on with the changing of DOF and that Maynard couldn't motivate them to do anything in the last 5-10 matches. Maybe that desirable quality may have just turn into an essential hiring quality, who knows.

[Could'vebeenacontender]

Headed by an academic? I don't think Dr. Rhodes is coming to coach or pick the team.

I sincerely hope you're right

[Poultonmagpie]

If it?s true that Chris Wilder is being sacked by Sheffield United get him signed up tomorrow. He is a great coach and leader, I don?t understand why they are thinking of terminating his employment!!

[countygump]

I can't see it being LW. Too obvious a choice, and too sentimental.

I can see it being that Shaw bloke, or a weird mixture of Shaw, Alves, and someone else in a new coaching team setup with joint responsibility. What else could they mean by "restructuring the football department"?

I hope I'm wrong, but I just can't see the bros appointing an experienced leader with relevant success at this level.

Despite recent reports linking Tom Shaw with the vacant managerial position at Notts County, club insiders have confirmed they believe there is no truth to the speculation.

https://staceywest.net/2025/06/12/sources-no-notts-county-interest-in-key-imps-figure/

[CamPie]

If it?s true that Chris Wilder is being sacked by Sheffield United get him signed up tomorrow. He is a great coach and leader, I don?t understand why they are thinking of terminating his employment!!

Now you're being silly - I'd suggest he's a bit out of our current league (status and financially).

[marky]

If it?s true that Chris Wilder is being sacked by Sheffield United get him signed up tomorrow. He is a great coach and leader, I don?t understand why they are thinking of terminating his employment!!

Like we'd be able to afford him, you may as well have suggested big Ange who's just left Tottenham.

[upthemaggies]

This is now the most days we've gone without a manager since 1953 - when we last had a spell not having a manager at all (secretary/trainer/committee arrangement)

There were 20 days between Mark Cooper quitting and John Sheridan being announced.
As of today (Friday 12th) it's 21 days since Maynard was sacked.

There were 18 days between Burchnall officially leaving and Luke Williams being announced. Also 18 days between Thordarsson and Steve Thompson.
The only other lengthy gap since 1953 was 13 days between Howard Wilkinson leaving and Larry Lloyd being appointed. Every other manager since 1953 had been announced within 5 days, the vast majority the same day or day after.

[marky]

Part of me is thinking "for gods sake Notts just hurry up and get someone in" but another part of me is anxious/worried it'll be someone I don't like or I think will be a disaster.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

Our owners will want to find the next Luke Williams, not the Luke Williams.

I?d imagine this to be the case as well. A league two Luke Williams who could come in and do what the Luke Williams did for us in the national league.

I would still like the club and the Luke Williams to have a go at seeing if what LW did in the National League could be done in the EFL.

[durhampie]

This is now the most days we've gone without a manager since 1953 - when we last had a spell not having a manager at all (secretary/trainer/committee arrangement)

There were 20 days between Mark Cooper quitting and John Sheridan being announced.
As of today (Friday 12th) it's 21 days since Maynard was sacked.

There were 18 days between Burchnall officially leaving and Luke Williams being announced. Also 18 days between Thordarsson and Steve Thompson.
The only other lengthy gap since 1953 was 13 days between Howard Wilkinson leaving and Larry Lloyd being appointed. Every other manager since 1953 had been announced within 5 days, the vast majority the same day or day after.

I think we may already have one, but it will not be disclosed until he returns from holiday.. Hopefully tomorrow ..