I’m keeping a close eye on Harry Kewell’s progress at Notts County. I spend time now and then in that part of the world and intend to check out a game or two at Meadow Lane.
Watched his first press conference for the upcoming game against Exeter and also his joining interviews - seriously, he has kicked onto another level both in terms of the club he is at and the way he presents himself.
They’ve also just appointed Paul Hart, who helped bring him up when he was a new kid in the UK, and Hart was involved in promotion at his last club.
Kewell is now building an impressive management profile. This role at Notts County will be critical to his potential being considered for top jobs in the next 3-4 years. From interviews he’s given and those from the Notts County chairman, there seems to be a long term 3-4 year vision to replicate Bournemouth’s rise through the leagues. If he can replicate half of that then he will be in the running for Premier League management roles IMO. He’s played at the very highest level, an icon in his homeland, learnt from the best managers (Benitez at Liverpool, Rijkaard at Galatasaray for example), building grassroots football knowledge, and has the resilience of someone that has had to work abroad in different countries. All reports show he also has a voracious work ethic and passionate about coaching, and less interested in the overall management side. This fits in well with the modern technical director model. He’s also young so has plenty time on his side.
Notts County seem to now have strong leadership and rebranded themselves well. 20k capacity modern stadium too. They’re going places and Kewell is a man to watch now. Impressed.