Despite recent reports linking Tom Shaw with the vacant managerial position at Notts County, club insiders have confirmed they believe there is no truth to the speculation.
Our respected assistant head coach was the subject of internet chatter yesterday, which saw him jump up the latest Notts County manager betting odds, but having taken time to investigate, I’ve been told that as of this morning, there’s been no approach, nor any interest that the club are aware of.
Lincoln City’s Staff Continue To Draw Admiration
The summer months always bring an avalanche of transfer gossip, speculation, and tenuous links, and City are not immune. The club’s continued success in outperforming expectations on a modest budget has ensured its coaching staff are regularly discussed in wider football circles.
So when reports connected assistant head coach Tom Shaw with the Notts County job, it naturally drew interest, though not necessarily from Meadow Lane. As ever in the modern game, not all rumours are rooted in reality. While it’s easy to see why a link might be made, Shaw is well-regarded and has contributed to a strong internal culture at City, sources within the club have categorically stated there is “nothing in it at the moment.” Not only has Shaw not been approached, but from what those close to him are saying, he’s entirely unaware of any such interest.
That’s not to say the recognition isn’t deserved. Lincoln’s eleventh-placed finish in 2024/25 may have felt like a slight comedown to fans following the high of seventh place the year before, but within the game, the achievement is significant. Clubs and directors look at these KPIs, such as budget versus finish, to measure success, and by those metrics, City’s performance was very good.
Betting Markets and Speculation
One theory for Shaw’s sudden appearance in the managerial rumour mill is its potential connection to the betting markets. When a vacancy becomes stale, as Notts County’s has with Tobias Solberg favourite for a while, bookmakers often see a drop-off in bets. Introducing a new, plausible candidate can reignite interest.
While this is not done directly by the journalists who report these stories, there have been past instances where suggestions from the media have influenced markets. A case in point: during a previous Lincoln managerial search, a speculative article I wrote naming potential candidates led to a bookmaker reaching out to a friend of a friend, seeking clarity before deciding whether to add a name to the odds. While this may not be the situation with Shaw, the timing and vagueness of the news do raise questions about motive of those leaking the reports.
The reality is that Tom Shaw is not an unrealistic name for a job like Notts County. The Magpies are, historically, a big club, and their recent ambition and infrastructure make them a logical step up for many young coaches. He’s going to attract attention due to our industry-respected achievements, as will Chris Cohen, Scott Fry and a host of others. But at this time, any such talk appears to be purely speculative.
A Respected Backroom, A Stable Club
What’s clear is that Lincoln City are no longer flying under the radar. From Cohen and Michael Skubala to Fry and Kieran Walker, members of the backroom team have been noted for their impact and approach. One staff member reportedly turned down a Premier League opportunity, and another had Championship interest this summer. This speaks volumes about the club’s internal environment and its growing status as a hub for talent development—not just among players, but coaches, analysts, and medics too.
Take Joe Hutchinson. During his time at City, he identified two Irish players whom we brought over to the EPC. We were close to bagging both, only to be beaten to it by bigger clubs with bigger resources. Trai Hume has gone on to make an impact elsewhere and is now a Premier League player, while Luke McNally is a Championship staple. Joe’s work on identifying those players, while not impacting our first team, further reinforces the idea that Lincoln is a place where respected figures within the industry cut their teeth. Hell, some of our former comms staff now fly around the world working for McLaren F1, others are at Premier League clubs.
Some may say that culture lost its way in the final months of Michael Appleton’s reign, while others point to the entirety of Kennedy’s stay as problematic, but it feels like we’re back on track. There will always be those who have had bad experiences, long-serving staff who leave without a thank you, and that’s a huge shame, because in the main, from commercial to ticketing, coaching to comms, we do have good people.
Conclusion: Tom Shaw Stays Put
As things stand, the message is clear: there is no Notts County move for Tom Shaw on the horizon. Those within the club say the story has no legs, and Shaw himself appears unaware of any such developments.
While interest in Lincoln City’s staff is undoubtedly growing, it’s a testament to the club’s culture and cohesion that the group remains intact. In a chaotic market, the best signings might not be new arrivals, but keeping hold of the right people.