Coach Alves leaves Notts after Paterson appointment

Joao Alves (right) became Stuart Maynard's assistant coach in January

Notts County assistant coach Joao Alves has left the League Two club by mutual consent.

The Portuguese 35-year-old had been seen as one of the favourites to succeed former boss Stuart Maynard at Meadow Lane, having stepped up to become the Magpies' number two last season.

But his four years with Notts has now come to an end just three days after Martin Paterson was appointed as head coach.

Alves joined the club in 2021 as a match analyst, having previously worked for the club's owners, Chris and Alexander Reedtz, at Football Radar – a company founded by the Danish brothers that provides statistical football analysis and betting advice.

He moved into a coaching role at Notts under Luke Williams, who guided the club to promotion from the National League in 2023.

On Tuesday, Chris Reedtz confirmed that Alves was still "employed and part of the first-team coaching staff" and dismissed the suggestion that he had been the top contender for the top job.

"We considered a lot of candidates and I don't want to talk about specific names," Reedtz told BBC Radio Nottingham when asked about Alves' links to the job as head coach.

"Bookmakers' odds can be misleading sometimes, so I wouldn't put too much into that. But he is a very good coach and someone who has done a great job for the club."

Paterson will have Andy Edwards as assistant head coach, with goalkeeper Sam Slocombe staying on at Meadow Lane as a first-team coach.