Calderwood returns to Northampton as technical director

Former Northampton Town boss Colin Calderwood has returned to Sixfields as the club's technical director.

The former Scotland defender will work alongside manager Kevin Nolan, who was appointed in December on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Calderwood, 60, was most recently first-team coach at Southampton, helping them win promotion to the Premier League last season, but left that role earlier this month.

"Colin needs no introduction to supporters, his vast knowledge, experience and contacts are a huge asset and he has worked with Kevin Nolan before, when both were at Newcastle United," Cobblers chairman Kelvin Thomas said.

"Colin's focus initially will be as part of the coaching staff, on the training ground on a day to day basis, but moving forward in the medium term he will begin to step away from the day to day to head up all of the club's footballing operations, including overseeing the recruitment work."

Northampton gave Calderwood his first job in management in 2003 and he led them to promotion from League Two in 2006 before leaving for Nottingham Forest.

He later had spells in charge of Scottish club Hibernian and Cambridge United, before his first return to Northampton as assistant manager under Jon Brady in the summer of 2021.

Nolan described his new role at the club as a "perfect appointment".

And Calderwood said: "My overriding priority is to support Kevin Nolan at all times and that is very important.

"I know Kevin well, I have been really impressed with him both as a person and a manager and he is someone who has been on a really good learning curve as a coach and a manager at different levels of the game.

"I feel I can help with the club's progress in the short, medium and longer term."

Northampton go into Tuesday's game at Bolton Wanderers 20th in League One, but six points above the relegation places.

They held promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers to a goalless draw on Saturday.