Rangers hero Nacho Novo handed big coaching chance as ex-Ibrox striking star lands plum overseas job

NACHO NOVO has embarked on his new career as a football coach after being appointed assistant manager at Lexington Sporting Club in the United Soccer League.

The prolific former Rangers and Dundee man has landed a plum role as assistant boss at the newly-launched Kentucky-based outfit as they join the United Soccer League (USL) League One this season.

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Gers hero Novo takes in the Europa Leauge finalCredit: Willie Vass

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Lexington call themselves the Bluegrass

That’s the third tier of the US football system behind the MLS and the USL Championship – with Novo also serving as head coach of Lexington’s Under-23 team.

It isn’t Novo’s first venture into US soccer, having previously had a stint at Carolina Railhawks (now North Carolina FC).

He’s flirted with coaching before, with the hitman “disappointed” to have been snubbed for the No3 role at Ibrox when Jonatan Johansson got the role.

It was during his time with the Railhawks that Novo would play alongside Lexington’s English Sporting Director and Head Coach, Sam Stockley – who he will work alongside again.

He has already pulled on Lexington’s GREEN training kit, although this area of the county is known as the Bluegrass.

Novo also had a brief stint in the pub trade as he ran NN10 and Nacho’s Bar in the proximity of Ibrox.

Novo said: “I have been fortunate to play at a high level, and since I started as a youngster in my hometown, I’ve been able to learn from many different managers.

“I want to take that experience and help all the players in Lexington.

“This is a new club, but it’s a new club that is like family, and I really enjoy being here with everybody on the staff.”

“Not many times you have the chance to build something from scratch, so for me, it was an opportunity I could not turn down.

“Everyone here, including the ownership, is very serious about what they want to do, making this a proper soccer team that connects with the community and does well.”

Head Coach Stockley said. “Obviously, Nacho’s experience in different cultures and high performance environments is something that I believe will be a huge resource for our players on the first team.

“Along with being an assistant for the team overall, he will do wonders with our forwards, attacking midfielders and wingers.

“As someone I’ve known for more than 10 years now, he’s a loving, caring person that buys into the culture.

“He knows what it takes to succeed as a player and will also bring a lot of life skills and knowledge to the table.”  

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