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Ardley appointed Woking manager

Neal Ardley looks on
Neal Ardley led both Notts County and Solihull Moors to a National League play-off final [Getty Images]

Woking have appointed former AFC Wimbledon and Notts County boss Neal Ardley as their new manager.

The 52-year-old replaces Michael Doyle, who was sacked on Sunday with the Cards languishing 19th in the National League.

Ex-Coventry and Sheffield United midfielder Doyle was appointed in December 2023 and helped the club finish 17th last season.

But Woking have won just five league games this season and are without a win in four games. They were comprehensively beaten 4-0 at Gateshead in Doyle's final match in charge on Saturday.

Ardley has been out of work since he was sacked after 34 games as manager of York City in February.

"The diversity of his journey illustrates his flexibility, his promotions and play-off achievements tell us that he can take us to where we hope to be one day," director of football Jody Brown told the club's website.

Ardley has 'values wanted' at Woking

"His battles with relegation and team rebuilding processes are all invaluable experiences that he'll have learned from. Neal has the values we want in our head coach."

Ardley scored 26 goals in 301 appearances for Wimbledon FC as a player before the club moved to Milton Keynes to form MK Dons.

The former midfielder also represented Watford, Cardiff City and Millwall in a 16-year playing career.

After taking over as manager at AFC Wimbledon in 2012, Ardley steered the club to League Two safety on the final day of his first season in charge and to promotion to League One in 2015-16.

He also had stints in charge of Notts County and Solihull Moors, leading both clubs to a National League promotion final but losing on both occasions.

Woking are in the process of being taken over by a group led by former Dagenham & Redbridge vice chairman Todd Johnson.

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