Notts County can confirm that Ricardo Moniz has been appointed as the club’s new First Team Manager, subject to contractual clearance.
Moniz has a wealth of management and coaching experience, having worked as a skills coach at Premier League Tottenham Hotspur during Martin Jol’s time at the club and managed the likes of Hamburg, Ferencvaros and 1860 Munich.
The 50-year-old came close to joining Notts as Manager last week, having reached an agreement with the club and been set to sign a deal, before unforeseen family commitments meant that the move had to be called off at the last minute.
However, after a change of circumstances over the Easter Weekend and having discussed the matter at length with both his family and Notts Chairman Ray Trew, Moniz has now put pen-to-paper on a deal to become the club’s new Manager.
Dave Kevan, who returned to the club last week, will work as Assistant Manager to Moniz, whilst Goalkeeping Coach Kevin Pilkington and Strength & Conditioning Coach Mike Edwards will continue in their current roles alongside the new management team.
As the new Manager arrives, the club would like to thank Acting Academy Manager Paul Hart and Head of Academy Coaching Mick Halsall for stepping into the breach on an interim basis in recent weeks, their efforts were very much appreciated.
Chairman Ray Trew said of the appointment of the new managerial team: “As I have said previously, I set out on our search for a new Manager with an open mind but with a determination to find someone who would be able to bring a new level of excitement to Notts County.
“I think in Ricardo we have found that because, having spoken to him at length, his footballing philosophy is one of structured attacking play, which I hope is something that our fans will buy into, because I know that when I come to Meadow Lane I want to be entertained, I want to be excited by what I see out there on the pitch.
“Results, of course, are the yardstick by which Managers are ultimately judged, but if we can play the sort of football that gets people off their seats and instil in our players the desire to take games to our opponents, I think we can make a real impression in this division.
“Ricardo has a fantastic reputation within the game, not only for the style of football that he plays, but also his ability to spot and nurture young talent, so I am confident that his appointment will be of benefit to all levels of the club.
“In Dave I have been able to bring in someone who knows this level of football and, perhaps equally importantly, knowsthis football club. He’s a Notts County person and I am delighted that he agreed to return for what I feel is an exciting period ahead for the club.
“The new management team’s immediate goal is clear, with survival in League 1 our short-term aim obviously, but work is already underway to ensure that we have the best possible squad available to make a real impression next season.”
Moniz will meet with the Notts County squad on Wednesday and will immediately set about preparing his side for the Sky Bet League 1 game away to Yeovil Town on Saturday.