Harry Kewell: Notts County appoint Crawley Town boss as new manager

Crawley Town was Harry Kewell's first senior managerial role, having previously been under-23s coach at Watford

Notts County have appointed former Liverpool and Leeds United player Harry Kewell as their new manager.

The 39-year-old joins from Crawley and replaces Kevin Nolan, who was sacked last week after a winless start to the season left Notts bottom of League Two.

Kewell won 18 of his 57 games in charge at the Broadfield Stadium, having been appointed as head coach in May 2017.

The ex-Australia forward will work under a new technical director, whose appointment "will follow shortly".

Warren Feeney, Kewell's assistant manager at Crawley, has also joined the Magpies - with a compensation fee having been agreed for both.

Notts County owner and chairman Alan Hardy said: "Having now worked in football for a significant period of time, I have had the opportunity to learn from other clubs what good looks like.

"I have therefore decided to appoint a technical director, who will set the club's overall footballing philosophy and be on hand to support and mentor the manager as required.

"Harry will, however, be solely responsible for our first-team squad, having the final say on transfers, tactics and team selection."

As part of the restructure, BBC Radio 5 live commentator Darren Fletcher will be standing down from his role as vice-chairman.

Kewell had been Notts County's number one target to replace Nolan, with the club making an initial approach to Crawley at the start of this week.

The Sussex club finished 14th in League Two last season, the same position they currently occupy after five games. Crawley players Jimmy Smith and Filipe Morais will prepare the team for Saturday's trip to Oldham.

Nolan said earlier this week that he had been told his job was "safe" shortly before he was sacked on Sunday.

The former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United midfielder guided County to fifth in League Two last season, but they lost in the play-off semi-finals to Coventry City.

Kewell (far right) started the 2005 Champions League final with Liverpool