Relaxed Keith Curle ready for Notts County challenge

New Notts County boss Keith Curle says he has mellowed as a manager and has learned a huge amount from nearly five years working with Neil Warnock.

Curle, who managed Mansfield, Chester and Torquay before joining Warnock at Crystal Palace and QPR, was confirmed as Martin Allen's successor on Monday.

The 48-year-old told BBC East Midlands Today: "I had an air of arrogance that made me the player I was.

"But mistakenly I took that into my managerial career as well."

He added: "I think that might have been a bit out of naivety because I didn't have the knowledge of what I needed to do.

"I knew the end result and what I wanted. But sometimes the coaching and man-management style wasn't in place and because of that insecurity that I had, I may have made the wrong atmosphere that I ideally wanted."

Following a successful playing career that saw him establish himself as a top Premier League centre-half and win three England caps, Curle began his managerial career in Nottinghamshire with Mansfield in 2002.

"When I first went into the job I still had a players' mentality whereby when I used to play," Curle said. "When I went onto the pitch I thought I was invincible.

"I honestly thought I had an answer to anything that would be posed to me. It was too late by the time I forged my management style and I couldn't change until it got changed for me."

But Curle said his time working alongside experienced former Notts boss Warnock, who offered him the chance to join him at Leeds United, was invaluable and he was eager to be in sole charge again.

"It's what I've been waiting for," Curle added. "I've taken my time but now is the time to come back.

"I've been using the time wisely, working and gaining experience - not re-inventing myself, but improving on some of the things that might have been weaknesses."

The former Wimbledon and Manchester City defender says he is also keen to play a brand of football that will excite the supporters.

"Players need to be in an environment where they are able to express themselves," Curle said.

"I want a relaxed atmosphere where the football is free-flowing, entertaining, expressive, expansive and attack-minded with an air of organisation, discipline and professionalism within the club.

"I want players to get on the ball, get forward, score goals, create goals and have a worth ethic in place, where they enjoy working hard.

"These are some of the things I have been able to create during my time with Neil and we have been successful."

And although Notts are eight points adrift of the play-offs going into Wednesday's game with Stevenage, Curle has no doubts they can still mount a promotion challenge.

"I want to get in the play-offs. We can go on a run," he said.

"From what I have seen in one training session there are players that can create goals, score goals and defend. The mentality is there already.

"I think the infrastructure and foundations that are in place are for a Championship football club."