Notts County Head Coach Ian Burchnall has left the club to join in charge of recently promoted League One side Forest Green Rovers.
The Nailsworth based side from Gloucestershire recently lost their Manager Rob Edwards to Watford after gaining promotion from League Two finishing as runners up and have acted quickly in replacing the former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender with the Magpies boss of fourteen months long. Burchnall failing on two occasions to take Notts County out of the National League through the playoffs, with most recently, agonising late defeat on Monday night against Grimsby Town.
The Notts County website stating on Burchnall’s services “We would like to place on record our appreciation to Forest Green Rovers for the way they have conducted themselves throughout this process.
“The same applies to Ian, who departs with our very best wishes for the future.
“While it is of course disappointing to be losing a head coach of Ian’s calibre, we feel it pertinent to remind supporters that, while the head coach is clearly an important part of our structure, a change in personnel does not lead to a switch in overarching philosophy.
“Ian’s replacement, while no doubt having their own style and characteristics, will be tasked with building on the foundations we have laid over the last three seasons and operating in line with the club’s core values and beliefs.”
Despite missing out on promotion with Notts County, Burchnall has a fabulous record of 36 wins in 70 games and a 51% winning ratio which compares highly amongst previous bosses with only Steve Cotterill having done better on a points per match basis, but in far less games.
On Burchnall’s replacement, the club have stated “Negotiations are progressing well with a number of targets and we expect to bring you some good news on this front soon.”
*Main image @Official_NCFC Ian Burchnall leaves for a new venture at Forest Green.