Kewell saw his new side go down 5-1 and was sent to the stands for abusing officials during the humiliating defeat to Exeter City.

“I just said, 'Well done' to the referee,” Kewell revealed after the game. “I said to him that he could see handball decisions in the far corner but not ones right in front of him.

“We had a cross and it’s one of those where, does it hit his hand or does it not? The referee said, 'No', we then complain, and then they go and score another goal.

“That’s when I got my marching orders.”

It was an underwhelming start to his new job in the East Midlands which leaves Notts rooted to the foot of the League Two table.

The club has yet to record a win after seven games and it was the kind of form which saw previous coach Kevin Nolan axed by the club to make way for Kewell late last month.

Kewell left the safety of mid-table but under-resourced Crawley Town to join the better-funded Magpies in the hope of turning things around.

Now though former QPR, Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Millwall coach Ian Holloway said he doubts Kewell is the right man for the job.

"I thought it was strange," said Holloway on TV. "They had a good season last year.

"They had the success they wanted to go up but lost in the play-offs. Kevin Nolan did a good job in my opinion. I'll always support managers.

"For me, [Kewell's] appointment was a little bit strange."