Former Wanderers Captain Nolan Sacked as Northampton Town Manager

Nolan had been in charge of the Cobblers since December 2024 but the team had won just once in their last 16 League One matches.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Former Bolton Wanderers captain Kevin Nolan has been sacked as the manager of League One club Northampton Town. Nolan had been in charge of the Cobblers since December 2024 but the team had struggled, winning just once in their last 16 league matches.

Why it matters

Nolan was a fan favorite during his playing days with Bolton Wanderers, serving as captain and leading the club to promotion to the Premier League. His dismissal from the Northampton Town job highlights the pressures and high expectations managers face, even at smaller clubs, to deliver results.

The details

Northampton Town announced on Monday that they had parted ways with manager Kevin Nolan after a poor run of results. The 43-year-old had been in charge of the Cobblers since December 2024 but the team had won just once in their last 16 League One matches, leaving them in the relegation zone.

  • Nolan was appointed Northampton Town manager in December 2024.
  • Northampton Town announced Nolan's dismissal on March 9, 2026.

The players

Kevin Nolan

A former captain of Bolton Wanderers who had been managing Northampton Town since December 2024.

Northampton Town

A League One football club based in Northampton, England.

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What they’re saying

“We must thank Kevin for his efforts during his time at the club, but results have not been good enough and a change is needed to give us the best chance of avoiding relegation this season.”

— Northampton Town, Club Statement (Northampton Town)

What’s next

Northampton Town will now begin the search for a new manager to try and guide the club away from the relegation zone in the final months of the season.

The takeaway

Managerial changes are commonplace in professional football, especially for clubs struggling near the bottom of the table. Nolan's dismissal shows that even former club legends are not immune to the pressure to deliver results.