Northampton Town have appointed Keith Curle as the club's new manager.
As a player, Curle made more than 700 appearances across all four divisions, representing Bristol Rovers, Torquay United, Bristol City, Reading, Wimbledon, Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, Barnsley and Mansfield Town as well as winning three England caps.
Curle started his managerial career with Mansfield Town in 2002, taking the club to the League 2 play off final in his first full season in charge.
After spells as assistant manager to Neil Warnock at both Crystal Palace and QPR, he was named the manager of Notts County in February 2012. County finished the 2011/12 season just outside the play offs and during the following season they went 22 away games unbeaten.
He joined Carlisle United in September 2014 when the Cumbrians were bottom of League 2. He steered them to safety, before leading United to a 10th placed finish the following season, a campaign that included runs to the 4th round of the FA Cup and the 3rd round of the League Cup.
In 2016/17, he took United to the League 2 play offs, before achieving a third successive top ten finish in 2017/18.
Curle has signed a deal until the end of next season and he will be assisted at the PTS Academy Stadium by Colin West. West, who as a player had a very brief loan spell at Northampton Town, also played for Sunderland, Watford, Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion. He has previously been assistant manager at Wednesday and has assisted Curle at both Notts County and Carlisle United.
"In the position we are in we think we needed a manager with a lot of experience of League 2 and Keith has that," said Chairman Kelvin Thomas.
"He has managed around 400 games at this level and we think he is exactly who we need right now. He took over at Carlisle United in similar circumstances and did an excellent job, not only steering them out of trouble but developing a squad that was able to challenge for promotion in the following seasons.
"He is respected for the job he did at Carlisle United and we believe he will give us strong leadership and he won't be shy to ruffle feathers to get results.
"We were keen to move quickly and after discussions and finalising paperwork today, Keith and Colin have met the players and staff. They were determined to take charge of the team for the game on Tuesday night to try and have an impact rather than just have a watching brief.
"We have the talent within the squad at the club and we need someone who can help them turn in the performances required to secure results. As always, it’s going to be a tough job, but Keith and Colin are up for the challenge and want to hit the ground running.
“As part of the incoming appointments Andy Todd has left the club and we thank him for all his hard work and wish him well for the future.”
With the new manager's full attention on Tuesday evening's game with Bury at the PTS Academy Stadium, he will meet the media for the first time following the game.