Former Watford assistant boss Dean Austin is “very proud” to have been appointed Northampton Town manager on a permanent basis and is looking to develop a pathway for younger players to flourish as well as guiding the club back to League 1 as soon as possible.

Austin had been in caretaker charge of the Cobblers after they sacked Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at the start of April, and although he was unable to stop Northampton from dropping into the fourth tier they were to suffer only one defeat in their last four matches of the campaign.

The former Hornets youngster, who played for Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace, told the club website: "I am very proud to have been appointed manager of Northampton Town. The chairman, the board, the staff, the players and the supporters have had a glimpse at the way I want to work in the last few weeks and I have been delighted with the way everyone has responded.

"I expect the highest of standards, not just on a matchday but every day in training and it is important we create and develop a culture of excellence that allows the players to grow, flourish and excel.

"The supporters can expect us to play in an aggressive way and on the front foot. We will not be afraid to be brave or to take chances but I also want us to be horrible to play against.

"I am very excited by the crop of young players we have in the first team squad and coming through the Academy and it is important we work to develop that pathway further so that players from the Under-9s upwards know the path is open for them.

"Our first priority is to try and get the club back to League 1 as soon as possible and to give the supporters some fun and entertainment along the way.”

Northampton chairman Kelvin Thomas said: "Dean inherited a difficult situation and a squad that lacked confidence but we think he handled things very well and has earned this opportunity.

"He has overseen an improvement in the results and importantly, performances, and really connected the team back with the supporters. He managed to get the team playing in a very positive manner and on the front foot from a difficult starting point.

"Dean has a good football brain, he has enjoyed success at all levels of the game, and he is very strong on demanding the highest of standards from his players.

"He knows the club, he knows our squad and where we need to improve, he knows our Academy and the exciting batch of young players we have coming through, he knows what is required and we think he is the natural choice at this point.

"We believe Dean can instil a philosophy and a strategy around recruitment and player development that can take us forward.”

Having first served as assistant under Brendan Rodgers, Austin returned to Vicarage Road to help Slavisa Jokanovic lead the Hornets into the top flight in 2015 and remained at the club the following season to work with Quique Sanchez Flores and his staff.