Imps and Fleetwood name new managers
LINCOLN City have appointed Mark Kennedy as their new head coach on a four-year contract.
The 45-year-old, who had been assistant manager to Lee Bowyer at Birmingham, takes over from Michael Appleton, who stepped down following the Imps’ 2-1 win against Crewe on the final day of the season as they finished 17th in Sky Bet League One.
Kennedy played as a winger for Liverpool, Manchester City, Wolves and the Republic of Ireland and has previous managerial experience with Macclesfield in League Two, as well as coaching roles at City, Wolves, Ipswich and Blues.
Lincoln chairman Clive Nates told his club’s website: “Over the course of many hours of interviews, we have been hugely impressed by Mark’s knowledge, energy, drive and passion.
“We know that he is a highlyrespected coach, and in the interview process he impressed us with his desire to improve and develop players while creating an aggressive, attacking style of play that we believe will be successful in League One and excite our fans at the LNER Stadium.
“We believe that Mark can flourish within our structure and help to create the culture and environment to maximise the potential of our squad.”
Meanwhile, former Celtic and Scotland captain Scott Brown has been appointed the new Fleetwood head coach.
Brown last week announced the end of a 19-year playing career in which he won 22 domestic trophies with Celtic, whom he left at the end of last season to take up a player-coach role at Aberdeen.
Capped 55 times by Scotland, Brown left Pittodrie following the departure of manager Stephen Glass in February and is now set to embark upon his first managerial role with Sky Bet League One Fleetwood.
The 36-year-old takes the reins from Stephen Crainey, who returns to his role with Fleetwood’s under-23s after being in temporary charge since December following the departure of Simon Grayson.
“I’m delighted to have been named head coach at Fleetwood Town,” Brown said on the club website. “It’s a great opportunity at a really exciting club.
“I’ve always had a real desire to move into management and can’t wait to meet the players and staff and get started. The hard work starts now - I’m now looking forward to getting on to the grass.”
Cod Army chairman Andy Pilley said: “It was clear Scott was the outstanding candidate and someone who’s a born leader, a serial winner and incredibly serious about becoming a successful manager.”