Harry Kewell’s stint as Notts County manager cut short

Former Socceroos star Harry Kewell has been sacked as manager of English side Notts County with the ex-Leeds and Liverpool forward lasting less than three months in the role.

Former Socceroos star Harry Kewell has been sacked as manager of English second tier side Notts County.

The ex-Leeds and Liverpool forward, who was only appointed at County on August 31 following an impressive stint at Crawley, was axed on Tuesday with his side sitting just outside the League Two relegation zone.

Harry Kewell has been sacked by Notts County. Picture: Getty Images

The 40 year-old, who had signed a three-year contract to replace Kevin Nolan at Meadow Lane, won just three of his 14 matches in charge and departs the club along with assistant manager Warren Feeney and first-team analyst Paul Murphy.

County chairman Alan Hardy said the board believed “quick action was essential”. “Harry’s passion and commitment as a coach is unquestionable. I enjoyed seeing first-hand his love for the job and it gives me absolutely no pleasure to take that away from him,” he said in a statement released on the club’s website.

“Unfortunately, however, things quite simply were not working out for him here at Meadow Lane.

“Results have not been good enough and performance levels are a continuing concern. We see no reason to continue with something we don’t think can work.

“Harry leaves with our best wishes for the future and our search for a new manager begins immediately.

“We hope to make an appointment before Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two match at home to Cheltenham Town.”

Steve Chettle will oversee County’s Checkatrade Trophy clash at Doncaster on Wednesday night.

‘MANAGING IS BETTER THAN PLAYING’

In an interview with BBC’s Football Focus in late October Kewell revealed managing is ‘10 times better’ than playing.

Kewell played 56 games for the Socceroos and for Liverpool, Leeds and Galatasaray in a glittering career that also saw him win the Champions League.

The ex-winger has since moved into management and currently plies his trade with League Two outfit Notts County after joining them from Crawley Town at the beginning of the season.

When asked if he still harbours a desire to get out on the pitch and join in with his team, Kewell responded, “I look back on my career and I gave everything.”

“There is nothing more that drives me to play. People always ask me, now that I’m a manager do I join in on sessions and I tell them I have no passion to do that anymore.”

Kewell has been officially retired for four years, and is enjoying life in the dugout more than he did on the park.

“(Managing) is ten times better [than playing],” he said.

“When players listen to your ideas, believe in those ideas and then successfully do it on the pitch is so rewarding.

“When you score a goal as a player the feeling in that one moment is unbelievable as you’re the one that everyone is cheering about.

“People have said nothing will match that, but now when I see my team score it brings me so much more joy.”

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Originally published as Harry Kewell’s stint as Notts County manager cut short