[themaclad]

Kidderminster Harriers have sacked manager Russ Penn following a run of four defeats in their last five games.

Penn, 38, had been in charge since February 2020, following a short spell as interim boss the previous year.

He led them to promotion last season but they are currently bottom of the National League table.

Penn's departure comes only three weeks after former Wimbledon and Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth was named as Harriers' first technical director.

"This is a difficult decision to have taken," said Harriers chairman Richard Lane. "But one we feel is necessary in our current circumstances."

At three years and just under four months, Penn, whose departure was officially announced by the club late on Sunday, was the longest-serving Harriers manager since Steve Burr was sacked on exactly the same day - 7 January - after four years in charge exactly a decade ago.

In fact, Harriers have now sacked four of their last eight managers on 7 January - Penn, Neil McFarlane,Dave Hockaday and Burr.

Penn talks to BBC Hereford & Worcester in last interview as boss
After two years on Scunthorpe United's books, Penn made 162 appearances for Harriers from 2005 to 2009 during a playing career which also took him to Burton Albion, Cheltenham Town, York City, Carlisle United, Wrexham and Gateshead.

He returned to Aggborough as player-coach under Neil McFarlane in November 2018 and then served under three other bosses, Mark Yates, John Pemberton and Jimmy Shan, before becoming manager himself in April 2020.

Penn enjoyed a fine run to the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2021-22, when Harriers beat Reading in round three and were then only denied victory over West Ham United by an injury-time Declan Rice equaliser.

Despite finishing 24 points behind second-placed King's Lynn last season, Penn then led Harriers to promotion from National League North, after coming from nowhere to win their last nine matches on the trot.

But they have only won four out of 28 league games this term - and Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Rochdale left them two points below AFC Fylde and seven adrift of safety.

Penn's assistant Jimmy O'Connor will remain in post to provide some kind of transition between Penn and his successor.

Harriers' next two matches are at home, against Altrincham in the FA Trophy on Saturday, followed by Aldershot in the league on 20 January.

[themaclad]

TANGO MAN

Kidderminster Harriers have appointed former Hull, Derby and Southend boss Phil Brown as manager.

The National League's bottom side said he had initially joined on a deal until the end of the season.

Brown acknowledged his side were in "a battle" to avoid relegation but said it was "a challenge I am looking forward to sinking my teeth into".

Harriers sacked former boss Russell Penn on Monday following a run of four defeats in their past five games.

Brown led Hull to the Premier League for the first time in the club's history in 2008 during a four-year spell with the Tigers.

The experienced manager also oversaw Southend's promotion to League One in 2015 and has had spells with Preston, Swindon and Barrow.

"I was immediately drawn to the passion that the chairman and board of Kidderminster have for their club, and their desire to succeed," Brown told the Harriers website.

He will work with the club's technical director, ex-Brentford, Wimbledon and Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth, who was appointed in December.

Holdsworth said Brown's arrival was "a significant appointment" which showed the club's ambition.

"Phil Brown is someone who has a proven track record of delivering against the odds when required. With the loyal support we have had from fans so far, through a tough time, performances and results will improve and we can get smiles on faces," he added.

Former Kidderminster Harriers manager Russ Penn
Russell Penn had been in charge at Aggborough since 2020
Brown will take charge after Saturday's home FA Trophy fourth-round tie against Altrincham, with his first game in the dugout set to be a National League fixture against Aldershot at Aggborough on 20 January.

Ex-boss Penn had been in charge since February 2020 and led Harriers to promotion last season but they have struggled this campaign.

They have only won four out of 28 league games and Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Rochdale left them seven points from safety.

[themaclad]

TANGO MAN STAYS

Kidderminster Harriers have extended the contract of manager Phil Brown, despite the club's relegation from the National League.

The 64-year-old former Derby, Hull and Southend boss was appointed in January on a deal to the end of the season.

They were seven points from safety at that time and their relegation was confirmed by a 1-0 home loss to Eastleigh on 13 April.

Brown and assistant Neil McDonald have agreed new contracts to the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

"Relegation hurt us all, we must turn that hurt into determination to bounce back," said director of football Dean Holdsworth.

"The arrival of Phil Brown gave the players, supporters and the whole club a new sense of belief, and the re-signing of Phil indicates the chairman's ambition to return to the National League as soon as possible.

"We're delighted to secure their services for another two seasons. We look forward to pressing the ‘reset’ button; plenty of hard work is already going on to ensure we are in the best possible shape to compete next season."