Notts County next manager contenders

We assess the potential contenders to become the next Notts County manager after the sacking of Stuart Maynard following the Magpies' League Two play-off semi-final defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

Luke Williams

A return to Meadow Lane for former Notts County manager Luke Williams is likely to go down very well with the club's supporters.

Williams first took charge of Notts County in June 2022, guiding the club to promotion to League Two via the play-offs in his first season following a blockbuster title race with Wrexham, eventually finishing second in the table behind the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned club.

The former Swindon Town boss was eventually prised away from the club by Championship side Swansea City, but was relieved of his duties in Wales in February 2025 after a run of seven losses in nine league matches.

Currently out of work, Williams could be convinced to go back to Notts County and take on a fresh promotion challenge in League Two in the 2025/26 campaign.

Des Buckingham

Des Buckingham would represent an ambitious appointment from the Notts County hierarchy.

Beginning his coaching career at Oxford United aged 18, Buckingham moved to New Zealand to develop his craft and eventually took on roles at Wellington Phoenix and various Kiwi national team youth sides.

His first senior managerial role arrived with Mumbai City in 2021, with Buckingham's success in India convincing former employers Oxford United to hand him the top job at the club in November 2023.

Buckingham was able to steer Oxford United to the Championship via the League One play-offs in 2024, but the Englishman was controversially sacked just five months into the subsequent season in England's second tier.

Over five months on from losing his job at Oxford United, Buckingham could be tempted by the Notts County gig as his next step in management.

Jon Brady

Jon Brady is another out of work manager who may be of interest to Notts County.

Australian Brady has a track record of promotion from League Two having gone up automatically from England's fourth tier in third place as manager of Northampton Town in 2023.

Brady was able to achieve a commendable 14th-placed finish with the Cobblers in League One in 2023/24 before things went awry in the subsequent campaign, eventually resigning in December 2024.

Formerly in charge of Brackley Town, Brady would likely jump at the opportunity to manage a club of the calibre of Notts County.

Luke Garrard

Boreham Wood's Luke Garrard is a manager who has drawn widespread praise of late after guiding the club back to the National League at the first time of asking via the play-offs following their relegation last year.

The Wood finished their National League South campaign in stunning fashion - winning their final five matches before going up via the play-offs following a 1-0 victory over Maidstone United in the final.

A move to Notts County would represent a sizeable step up for Garrard but one the 39-year-old could potentially relish.