Kevan's tough choice

The 39-year-old was yesterday officially unveiled as Notts County's new assistant boss, following last week's appointment of best friend Ian McParland as manager of the League Two club.

And although Kevan admitted he was sad to leave what he described as a "smashing football club", he is confident the Clarets will continue to thrive under manager Steve Cotterill.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time working with Steve. He's done a smashing job," he said.

"It's always a tough job in that league but Burnley are certainly making inroads. When you look back to our first pre-season there were eight players out on the training ground, and that was a scary thought at Championship level, but there has been a massive transformation to the group of players that are there now.

"If you look at our early days at Burnley and where the club is now, the progress is there for anyone to see. The training ground is an excellent facility now and there are bits and pieces that are happening around the stadium, but the most important improvements are to the playing staff.

"I couldn't fault the lads. Whenever we asked them to do something in training their attitude to that was superb, and that's credit to Steve because it shows he is bringing in the right people that want to improve, want to train and want to be better.

"Over the last three and a half years I can't think of a bad apple."

Kevan, who made his debut for Notts County in 1986 after progressing through the youth ranks, added: "Steve is very motivated, very driven, very focused and very conscientious. He's an excellent manager and has done a superb job at Burnley.

"The Championship's a very, very difficult league to win football matches in. There are a lot of clubs that would fancy their chances of doing well this year and Burnley are no different.

"The club's heading in the right direction, and they are better equipped now to maybe keep hold of their better players."

Of his role at struggling Notts County he continued: "It was a nice feeling walking back into Meadow Lane. It's been nearly 20 years since I was last here.

"It was a difficult decision leaving a smashing football club like Burnley and working with Steve and the rest of the staff, but it's my old club and my best friend's in charge - the two of those coming together was too attractive really.

"There are some things we need to have a look at and would like to change but you can't change it all in one morning. The players have been through the mill a little bit.

"It was a sad moment saying goodbye but that's part and parcel of football and the players have been around long enough to know that. I'm happy with the decision I've made and I'm looking forward to having a fresh challenge.

"Steve has been a tremendous help to me and I've got nothing but good memories and good thoughts, and I'll be looking to try to take a little bit of that into my role at Notts."

Although Burnley boss Cotterill said he would not be launching an immediate search to replace Kevan, he has hinted that first team coach Steve Davis could become his new number two.

"I think everybody needs an assistant manager. I just need to get my head around it all and have a little think about it. At the moment the workload for myself and Steve Davis will probably be more but I think we're able enough to take that on," he said.

"It may not be an assistant manager I need to bring in because I may have one under my nose. I'll need to see how Steve is over the next few weeks, but I think he's come on leaps and bounds since he came here.

"He came here as a qualified coach with no experience, but I think with his stature at the club everyone was prepared to give him that chance. I think then in fairness to him you have to earn that chance and Steve has been first class.

"He's been a big help since the moment he came through the door and I certainly don't regret that appointment. So as I've said, maybe I've got one that under my nose and it should be Steve Davis who I'm replacing and promoting him to be my assistant."