Using the information provided here, I think I've cracked it! NC likes to listen to Tiny Tempah, whose hit 'pass out' contains the much quoted line 'been to Southampton but I haven't been to S****horpe.'
Now it's safe to assume that NC likes to have the upperhand, so he must have realised that by going to S****horpe, he was getting one over on mr Tempah.
Not knowing what to do with himself in the grim north, he must have done what he does best, watch some footy. I therefore think it's safe to assume our new manager is definitely going to be Nigel Adkins.