Kevin Nolan in running to be next Portsmouth manager with West Ham United exit on the cards
West Ham first team coach Kevin Nolan is reportedly in the running to become Portsmouth’s next manager, according to The Telegraph.
The former Hammers player has been amongst David Moyes’ backroom staff since 2019, following an unsuccessful spell as player-manager for Notts County after a six-match winless run in 2018.
The 40-year-old who clocked up 141 appearances for West Ham during a four-year spell in his playing, scoring 30 Premier League goals has proven a vital figure in Moyes’ staff, especially in their two previous years of overachievement in the English top-flight.
And with Moyes’ immediate future up in the air at the London Stadium following a dismal run in the Premier League, Nolan could well also leave should Moyes face the sack.
However, a managerial opportunity could be in the offing for Nolan as The Telegraph has reported [18 January] that he is a candidate to fill the vacant managerial position at League One side Portsmouth, following the sacking of Danny Cowley earlier this month.
Huge opportunity
There’s no doubting Nolan’s impact within Moyes’ backroom staff. He’s been a consistent and trusted influential figure to both the manager and the players, as well as his tactical input and messages off the Hammers dugout.
Managing a club of Portsmouth’s standing and aiming to bring them back into prominence could well be a tempting offer for the former Bolton and West Ham midfielder.
One which Nolan will see as a huge opportunity.
With his boss Moyes’ position as West Ham boss in jeopardy following their poor form throughout the Premier League campaign, Nolan is certainly likely to follow him through the exit door, if it comes to it.
And Nolan will be well within his rights to continue his managerial development by taking up the Portsmouth position. He deserves the opportunity to take his own managerial stand like Moyes.