‘I work very well in the storm’ – Colin Kazim-Richards relishing relegation battle at Crawley Town
New Crawley Town head coach Colin Kazim-Richards is thriving on the pressure of battling for League Two survival ahead of tomorrow’s vital clash with Gillingham.
The 39-year-old’s side are currently one point above the relegation zone with seven matches of the 2025-26 season remaining.
But the 21st-placed Reds could be leapfrogged by Newport County, Harrogate Town and Barrow if results go against them this weekend.
It’s been a whirlwind week for Kazim-Richards, who was unveiled as Crawley’s new head coach less than 48 hours after the departure of predecessor Scott Lindsey.
But the former Feyenoord and Derby County forward revealed he prospered in ‘situations that people think are crazy’.
Kazim-Richards said: “I just want people to understand, my norm is being in the ‘un-norm’. Being in situations that people think are crazy – I thrive in that.
“I've done it all the time. I left home at 15 to go to Manchester. I'd never been out of the city before.
“I work very well in the storm because I have clarity and calm. I'm not irrational.
“People might not see that from the way I used to play. I would agitate you.
“If you ask most clubs that I was at, the opposition fans never used to like me – but my fans used to love me because I was that type of person. And that's how it should be.
“I'm sure the opposition fans don't like Jay Williams because he's an antagonist. He's going to get in your face. He's going to do everything to win the game and that's how it is.
“But the man off the pitch is different. I'm a thinker. I understand the consequences.”