Two of Notts County’s academy staff are to take temporary charge of the club’s first team after former boss Shaun Derry’s exit.
County’s acting academy manager, Paul Hart and head of academy coaching, Mick Halsall will be taking the reins until a permanent manager can be found – after Derry left Meadow Lane on Monday (March 23).
Greg Abbott, Derry’s right hand man, has also parted company with the club, with officials insisting that the process is already underway to find both of their successors.
Despite the process being underway, a Notts County spokesman said that it was important to maintain the day to day running of the first team squad with a crucial Sky Bet League One game against Scunthorpe United coming up this weekend.
“Hart and Halsall have a wealth of managerial and coaching experience,” added the spokesman.
“It was felt that their experience would be key to helping guide the first team squad through this important interim period until a new permanent manager can be found.”
A former Notts County player, Hart has previously held the top job at local rivals Nottingham Forest, Barnsley and Crystal Palace, while Halsall is dubbed as one of the most respected youth coaches in the game.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to them…”
Notts County CEO Aileen Trew.
It was announced earlier this week that both Derry and his assistant Greg Abbott had parted company with the club.
Speaking at the time, the club’s CEO and director Aileen Trew said that while it was one of the hardest decisions the club has ever had to make, they felt it was time for a change due to the clubs ‘perilous’ position in the league.
“I have nothing but positive things to say about Shaun and Greg and the way they conducted themselves during their time here at Notts County,” added Trew.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to them, but with a hope that this difficult decision will be the catalyst for a turn around in fortunes, starting this weekend at home to Scunthorpe United.”
