Notts County manager Martin Paterson could be under pressure after overseeing an underwhelming start to the 2026/27 campaign.
Paterson was appointed at Notts County in the June of 2025, and he guided the club to promotion via the League Two play-offs in his debut term in charge.
The Magpies enjoyed a five game unbeaten run to start the season -- four of which were draws -- but they are winless in League One since overcoming Burton Albion on 29th August.
Paterson signed a contract extension at Meadow Lane a little over a month ago, but the pressure could mount on the Tunstall-born manager if he can't turn Notts County's fortunes around.
We take a look at the potential candidates to succeed Paterson in the event that he is dismissed.
Next Notts County Manager Contenders
Luke Williams
Luke Williams is back on the market after being sacked by Peterborough United in September, and a reunion with former club Notts County is not beyond the realms of possibility.
The 45-year-old oversaw a mightily impressive 18-month spell at the club between July 2022 and January 2024, guiding the Nottingham-based outfit to automatic promotion in the National League before being poached by Championship outfit Swansea City midway through Notts County's 2023/24 League Two term.
While tough spells at Swansea and Peterborough have followed his fruitful stint with the Magpies, he played an attacking, possession-based style football at Meadow Lane that supporters will look back on fondly, and so it's hard to imagine a world in which they don't welcome Williams back with open arms if Paterson is sacked.
Karl Robinson
Karl Robinson can count himself unfortunate to have lost his job at Salford in the summer after they narrowly missed out on promotion.
Robinson guided the Ammies to a fourth placed finish in League Two last term -- securing a spot in the play-offs -- but they fell considerably short against Notts County in the final, losing 3-0 at Wembley.
While, technically, the 46-year-old didn't achieve what he sat out to do at Moor Lane, he employs a desirable, front-footed style of football that could be of interest to the Magpies if Paterson departs.
Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan's time at Notts County was very different to Williams' spell, but he did show glimpses of promise at Meadow Lane.
Joining the club in the midst of a relegation battle in January 2017, Nolan steered the Magpies clear of relegation to the National League. He led them to the League Two play-offs in the subsequent 2017/18 term -- where they crashed out in the semi-finals to Coventry City -- and a six-game winless run at the start of the 2018/19 season saw him dismissed.
After a lengthy break from management, he returned to the scene in the form of then League One outfit Northampton Town in December 2024. It was a largely underwhelming spell at Sixfields, and you sense that he'd jump at the chance of a Notts County return if the opportunity presents himself.
