COBBLERS CALL TIME ON JUSTIN
JUSTIN Edinburgh has become the first EFL man- ager to lose his job this season – paying the price for Northampton Town’s sluggish start to the season.
On the final day of August, less than a month after the season kicked off, the former Tottenham defender was sacked. Despite a squad overhaul during the summer, which raised expectations, the Cobblers have lost all four of their League One games.
One-nil defeats against Shrewsbury and Fleetwood were followed by 4-1 reverses against Charlton and Peterborough.
Northampton also lost 1-0 at QPR in the Carabao Cup, though they did draw 1-1 against Cambridge in the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek, winning a penalty shoot-out 5-4 to earn an extra point.
The fact the Cobblers hadn’t won in their final eight games of last season also didn’t do Edinburgh any favours. The 47-year-old had taken the reins in January following the dismissal of Rob Page and guided Northampton to 16th place in League One.
Opportunity
Speaking after last week’s heavy defeat against Peterborough, the exGillingham boss insisted he was the right man for the job and would turn things around, but the opportunity was taken out of his hands by chairman Kelvin Thomas.
“Justin did a good job for us in difficult circumstances and achieved what was asked of him when he came in last season by retaining our League One status, for which we will always be grateful,” said Thomas.
“However, results overall haven’t gone as well as any of us would have liked. Justin is an honest and hard-working individual and we wish him well for the future.
“David Kerslake will take temporary charge of the squad as we begin discussions to find our next manager. We do have some potential targets in mind and with a free weekend this weekend it does allow us some time.
“It is important that the focus of the squad is now on the game with Doncaster Rovers at Sixfields on Saturday, September 9.”
Meanwhile, the Cobblers have signed highly-rated QPR goalkeeper Matt Ingram, 23, on a seasonlong loan deal.