Crawley Town have appointed Kevin Blackwell as their interim manager following the sacking of Colin Kazim-Richards. The 67-year-old takes charge of a side sitting 24th in League Two with just five points from ten games.

Kazim-Richards was dismissed alongside assistant Julian Gray and Director of Football Erdem Konyar after Tuesday's 3-2 home defeat to Shrewsbury Town. That result left the club six points from safety, a position described as the worst start to an EFL season in their history. The club's owners, KB Sports and Leisure, have now turned to Blackwell to steady the ship.

Blackwell's return to England

Blackwell, who last managed in England with Bury in 2013, has most recently been in charge of Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima. He is best known for his time at Sheffield United, where he succeeded Bryan Robson in 2008 and took the Blades to the Championship play-off final in his first full season. He managed 125 games for the Yorkshire club before being sacked in 2011.

His immediate task at Crawley is monumental. It's not a question I can answer for you."

A summer of upheaval

The squad has undergone significant change, with 16 players arriving and 16 departing over the summer. This overhaul has contributed to a lack of experience on the pitch, a factor in their precarious league position. The club's recent fixtures show a mixed bag, with a 4-0 win over Bromley on October 6th followed by heavy defeats to Salford City and Milton Keynes Dons.

Their most recent outing was a 1-1 draw with Tranmere on October 24th, where Dylan Morgan scored his second goal in two games. The point did little to improve their standing, leaving them a full 20 points behind league leaders Salford City.

The search for a permanent boss

The club has confirmed that the search for a permanent manager is well advanced. "The search for our next permanent manager is at an advanced stage," Crawley Town said in a statement. "We have interviewed a number of strong candidates, identified our preferred targets and are working towards finalising the appointment."

In the meantime, Blackwell will be assisted by Jordan Tait. Their first match in charge will be a key trip to face 21st-placed Oldham on October 31st, a game that offers a chance to close the gap on a rival near the foot of the standings. Crawley Town won the League Two play-offs in 2024 but were relegated the following season, and now face another fierce battle to preserve their EFL status.

The original report is at The Star