📝 New Manager [Luke Williams Appointed]

[Oldstripy]

I think LW has more coaching experience than IB. and will do a good job for us.

[SwalePie]

BBC article

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61804405

[Oldstripy]

BBC article

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61804405

New boss Luke Williams says "it would be madness to try to change everything" at Notts County in a bid to end their English Football League exile.

The 41-year-old takes over at Meadow Lane from Ian Burchnall, who last month left for League One side Forest Green.

Notts have reached the play-offs in each of their three seasons in the National League, with Burchnall in charge of two of those promotion bids.

"I hope to build on top of what Ian has already done," said Williams.

Former Swindon Town boss Williams said "there will be slight differences" to how he approaches the game, but said an emphasis will remain on playing possession-based football.

"Ian has done such a good job, it would be madness to try to change everything," Williams told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I have a very similar view that it is easier to control the game if you have lots of passing options and you try to find people with time and space to make key passes and key actions in a game.

"The club wants to try to build something and to keep changing everything every two seasons or so makes it hard to progress and build."

Williams said he is excited to be at a club that "has been knocking on door trying to get promoted".

He also said that he is encouraged that club owners Alexander and Christoffer Reedtz are convinced that Notts are "on the right path" and added that the desire of supporters to see the Magpies return to the EFL will help get them there.

"We want fans to have that urgency," Williams said. "That's what creates the atmosphere and what drives the players on, particularly in home games.

"Sure it can be tough for players at times, when fans maybe make them anxious, but I can tell you the players and staff would all prefer to have the fans passionate and wanting us to win, so we accept that."

Chairman Christoffer Reedtz said promotion remains "the big aim" at Notts, but said his and his brother's commitment as owners is not dependent on returning to the EFL.

Williams said he understands that such a pragmatic approach can frustrate fans.

"There are clubs at particular levels that have abundant funds who can gamble more and if they are unsuccessful then they can gamble again and again," he added. "But that can quickly put a club in jeopardy if they don't have the constant backing and are bank rolled year on year.

"We have owners here who have clearly got finances available, but they want to make sure this club is moving forward in a sustainable way while being competitive at the same time."

[Jampie]

That's completely consistent with everything the owners have said and done since taking charge, and I like that. I still 100% think it's going to stand the club in very good stead in the long term.

[LaxtonLad]

Luke Williams has had some good jobs, but he seems most popular at clubs where he was the assistant. This is his opportunity to shine, so let’s hope he takes it. I probably feel the same as when IB was appointed, though - more possession-based football in store.

Most interesting thing for me yesterday was the language used in the press release - which could have been lifted from fears voiced on this website about a lack of ambition…

“Between them they have the right management skills and experience of all EFL divisions, as well as the National League, which we believe will help us achieve our goal of promotion and getting back to where we feel we belong”

“Luke has already met with our recruitment team to discuss our current squad and ongoing transfer targets and we look forward to working closely with him to build a team which will give us the best possible chance of earning the promotion we all crave in 2022-23.”

We’ll you can’t say the bros are keeping silent on this, but it won’t stop some on here whinging about what we ‘aren’t being told’.

[the_anticlough]

We have to remember that the Reedtz brothers have only made 1 HC appointment prior to this..

Result? Poached by club 2 leagues above after just 14months
Regardless of what you think of Burchnall, that was the result....the brothers have been in charge for 3 years and they haven't had to sack an appointed Head Coach yet. Wonder how many of THEIR OWN managers Trew and Hardy had to sack in that time?

It's impressive, 100% strike rate you might say! They deserve our trust on this one

[pravda_plc]

We have to remember that the Reedtz brothers have only made 1 HC appointment prior to this..

Result? Poached by club 2 leagues above after just 14months
Regardless of what you think of Burchnall, that was the result....the brothers have been in charge for 3 years and they haven't had to sack an appointed Head Coach yet. Wonder how many of THEIR OWN managers Trew and Hardy had to sack in that time?

It's impressive, 100% strike rate you might say! They deserve our trust on this one

Well said that man and there could well be compensation on the transaction with FGR given that Burchnall was on a long contract...

[optipez]

I read a few of those.

''More interested in style than points'' and once said ''3 draws were the same as a win as you get the same points''.

We have to remember that the Reedtz brothers have only made 1 HC appointment prior to this..

Result? Poached by club 2 leagues above after just 14months
Regardless of what you think of Burchnall, that was the result....the brothers have been in charge for 3 years and they haven't had to sack an appointed Head Coach yet. Wonder how many of THEIR OWN managers Trew and Hardy had to sack in that time?

It's impressive, 100% strike rate you might say! They deserve our trust on this one

I think they do deserve support, so far they've been model owners, given us good signings and three seasons of hope whilst clearly losing money. Not sure why their motives or ambition have been questioned recently.
I'm less sure about the grand plan and head coach appointments, good managers will get you up poor ones won't but serial winners are thin on the ground.

[laddo]

Great post Optipez, sums it up well for me. Although I like the grand plan mainly because it's different to the plans (or lack of) which have failed us so often in the past.

Like you I also can't work out why their motives and ambition have been questioned on here (pleasingly only by a few), I've asked the question but yet to see an answer.

I put it down to frustrations when we don't achieve promotion, especially when the usual target of Head Coach/Manager isn't available then the Owners/Chairman historically come next on the list.

[ncfcog]

It seems Kim Engstrom has just secured himself a job at Danish second division club B.93 (Bolklubben af 1893).

Maybe that little bit of twitter fun helped raise his profile a bit!