The Scot was confirmed as the club’s new manager on Wednesday, his first permanent coaching role since leaving Livingston back in 2020. Holt had a brief spell at Falkirk as interim boss before serving as their sporting director.

Holt’s appointment marks his first in the women’s game, and the ex-City midfielder and coach is excited to see if his coaching methods can bring success in an area of the game that has interested him for a prolonged period.

“I want to be challenged. I want excitement. I want something that gets me up and gets the juices flowing – this opportunity has arisen, and I cannot wait to get started,” Holt said.

“I’ve always had an interest in the women’s game and thought, being from the men’s game, can I bring my toolbag across to the women’s game and get my messages across? Can I implement the styles I want to see and see if it works?

“The challenge has been getting the opportunity. When this arose, I thought, ‘Can I get the opportunity and try it?’ I want to be challenged and face things that I’ve never faced and be excited by it. I hope it goes the way that I want to.

“No matter in football, it’s usually someone losing their job so you can get one. It’s the ugly side that we don’t want to talk about. Once I spoke to the people and knew it was a real opportunity, I hope they can see my passion for what I want to implement.”

Holt was affectionately nicknamed ‘Three Lungs’ during his spell as a player at Carrow Road for his tireless running as a midfielder, later re-joining the club as a coach under Neil Adams before helping Alex Neil guide the Canaries back to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Gary Holt in action for Norwich City during his playing days. (Image: Paul Hewitt/Newsquest)

Spells at Falkirk and Livingston followed his coaching return to Norfolk and Partick Thistle’s women chief executive officer Caroline Mackie is confident Holt’s CV will lead to further progress for their side, who are ninth in the SWPL after 10 matches.

“We’re delighted to welcome Gary to the football club. His experience and coaching record speak for themselves,” Mackie said. “His enthusiasm to drive this club forward and develop players was clear to see from the very first conversation we had with him.

“We look forward to working and supporting him as much as we can as he leads the club forward”