Video: Alan Hardy’s first press conference as Notts County’s new owner
Kevin Nolan has been announced as the new Notts County manager 24 hours after Alan Hardy’s takeover of the club.
Nolan, who became the youngest boss in the Football League last January, succeeds John Sheridan who departed last week.
Nolan was unveiled at the end of Hardy’s first press conference at Meadow Lane, just after 4pm on Thursday.
He will take his first training session tomorrow and will take charge of the Magpies for Saturday afternoon’s clash with Mansfield Town at Meadow Lane.
Nolan, who played for Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham, became the youngest boss in the English Football League when he became player-manager of Leyton Orient.
He said: “I’m glad to see the deal is over the line and we’re now looking forward to what is going to be a top day on Saturday [against Mansfield].
“Hopefully we will start building our way away from relegation.”
He added: “I will be bringing in a couple of people but that’s something I will discuss with Alan over the coming days.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into management – I love the pressure.”
Orient won seven of his 15 games in charge before Nolan was replaced in April.
Mr Hardy yesterday announced he had officially taken over the club on Twitter after the deal was delayed due to a dispute with former chairman Ray Trew over who was to pay a £1.5 million loan to the Haydn Green estate.
Shortly before unveiling Nolan at a packed press conference, Hardy said: “Driving through the gates this morning became real – it sunk in when I parked in the chairman’s space.
“There’s no reason why in five years time we can’t be in the Championship discussing if we can reach the Premier League.”
A slump of nine straight League Two defeats led to former boss John Sheridan leaving last week after being appointed in the summer.
Relegation-threatened Notts, teetering in 22nd place and a point above the drop zone, face a local derby with Mansfield Town at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
The club are also the subject of a winding-up petition brought by HM Revenue & Customs and have until February 6 to settle any outstanding debts.
This means the club are currently in a transfer embargo, which it is hoped will be lifted once Hardy takes care of bills.
But Hardy said this was a “complex” situation as county’s debts were not just with the tax man but other football clubs.
“The embargo is hugely complex and my lawyers and accountants will now start negotiations to understand what needs to happen,” he said.
“I hope we catch the last seven days of the transfer window – that’s my target.”
