Keith Curle

Managerial career

Mansfield Town

Curle began his management career on 3 December 2002 after being appointed as player-manager of Mansfield Town, after the dismissal of Stuart Watkiss. He took over with the team struggling in the relegation zone and could not prevent the drop to the fourth tier, but took them to the play-off final in his first full season in charge, where they lost on penalties to Huddersfield Town.

In December 2004, he was controversially fired over claims that he had intimidated a member of the youth team. However, in August 2006, Curle won a case for wrongful dismissal against the club and was awarded undisclosed damages. The judge in the case cleared Curle of any wrongdoing, and described Mansfield's disciplinary process as a "sham".

Chester City

Despite the outcome of his hearing not yet being clear, he was appointed as manager of Chester City in May 2005 and began brightly with the club challenging for promotion from League Two and eliminating Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup. However, a disastrous losing run of 11 games in 12 cost Curle his job in February 2006 after just nine months in charge.

Torquay United

On 8 February 2007, he was appointed head coach (effectively manager under Director of Football Colin Lee, his former manager at Wolves) at Torquay United, where he had played earlier in his career. He was on a short-term contract that ended in the summer of 2007. After failing to save Torquay from relegation, Curle's contract was not renewed and he was replaced by Leroy Rosenior on 17 May 2007.

Coaching Roles

Curle reunited with Neil Warnock, when the latter was appointed manager of Championship side Crystal Palace in October 2007 and immediately brought Curle into his coaching team. Curle followed Warnock across London to Queens Park Rangers on 1 March 2010, again as coach. On 8 January 2012, he was sacked by the club with manager Warnock and assistant manager Mick Jones.

Notts County

On 20 February 2012, he was named as manager of Notts County. Curle made an impressive start to his reign at Notts County winning his first four games. He finished the 2011–12 season with Notts in seventh place, only missing out on the play-offs by goal difference. Curle's team made a good start to the 2012–13 season. A 2–2 draw with Oldham Athletic meant Curle equaled a 41-year record by going unbeaten away from home in the league in 10 consecutive games for the first time since 1971. The record was broken three days later when Notts County drew 1–1 with MK Dons. The run finally came to end on 27 January 2013 when Notts County were beaten 2–1 by Leyton Orient. Before that the team had gone 22 consecutive away games without defeat.

On 3 February 2013, Curle was sacked by Notts County.

Carlisle United

In September 2014, he was appointed as manager of Carlisle United, where he remained until the end of the 2017–18 season.

Northampton Town

On 1 October 2018, Curle was appointed manager at Northampton Town.

On 29 June 2020, Northampton Town won the League Two Play-Off Final under Curle, gaining him his first promotion with a club in the EFL as the Cobblers beat Exeter 4–0 at Wembley.

On 10 February 2021, Curle was sacked by Northampton Town with the club occupying 23rd place in League One, having endured a run of one win in 10 matches, and one goal scored in 2021.

Oldham Athletic

On 8 March 2021 Curle was appointed boss of League Two side Oldham Athletic following the sacking of Harry Kewell the day before. Curle left his position on 24 November 2021 with the club sitting in 22nd position in League Two, one place and two points above the relegation zone.

Hartlepool United

On 18 September 2022, Curle was appointed as the interim manager of League Two side Hartlepool United following the sacking of Paul Hartley earlier that day. At the time of his appointment, Hartlepool were winless in their first nine league games of the season and sat in 23rd place. On 3 December 2022, Curle was appointed as Hartlepool's permanent manager on a deal until the end of the 2023–24 season.

Curle was relieved of his duties on 22 February 2023. He won eight of 29 games during his tenure, leaving the side one point clear of the relegation zone but having played four more games than 23rd place Crawley Town. Hartlepool were later relegated at the end of the 2022–23 season.

Macclesfield On 17 June 2026, Curle was appointed chief executive officer of National League North club Macclesfield.

Managerial statistics

Honours Player Bristol City Associate Members' Cup: 1985–86; runner-up: 1986–87

Reading Full Members' Cup: 1987–88

Manager Northampton Town EFL League Two play-offs: 2020

Individual As a player Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year: 1997–98

As a manager EFL League Two Manager of the Month: October 2016