Crawley Town closed in on Ex-Derby County man after shock Lindsey exit

Crawley Town are preparing to make a bold and unconventional appointment, with former Derby County forward Colin Kazim-Richards set to take charge as the club’s new manager.

The 39-year-old, who only recently stepped away from playing, is poised to step into his first senior managerial role following the dismissal of Scott Lindsey.

Lindsey’s return to the Broadfield Stadium failed to reproduce the success of his previous spell, and after a year in charge, the club opted to make a change as they fight to preserve their Football League status.

According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Crawley have now turned to Kazim-Richards as their permanent successor.

The former Turkey international enjoyed a widely travelled playing career, featuring in the Premier League with Sheffield United and across the EFL with Derby County and Blackburn Rovers, in addition to spells in Brazil, Scotland, and France. His most recent playing stint came in Turkey with Fatih Karagümrük during the 2022/23 season.

Since retiring, Kazim-Richards has taken his first steps into coaching at Arsenal, working within the academy setup to support youth development. However, his managerial résumé remains limited, making this a significant gamble for a side entrenched in a relegation battle.

Crawley currently sit just above the drop zone, one point clear and only two ahead of bottom-placed Barrow, with seven matches remaining.

A crucial fixture looms on Good Friday against 22nd-placed Newport County—a side who themselves took a similar risk by appointing former Leicester City defender Christian Fuchs as manager.

Lindsey’s final attempt to revive Crawley’s fortunes—reassembling key figures from his previous successful squad in January—ultimately backfired, leading to his departure and forcing the board into a critical decision between stability and long-term vision.

Kazim-Richards appears to have emerged as their choice, despite the clear lack of senior managerial experience and the high-pressure context of a relegation fight involving multiple clubs. While his coaching exposure at Arsenal provides some foundation, much of his post-retirement profile has been built in media rather than on the touchline.

The appointment may not immediately inspire confidence in Crawley’s survival hopes, but it suggests a longer-term strategy. Should relegation occur, the club’s hierarchy may be prepared to give Kazim-Richards the time needed to reshape the squad and implement his ideas ahead of a potential rebuild.