[3] On 2 January 2007, Northampton announced that former Southampton boss Stuart Gray had been appointed as the new manager, with Sampson and fellow caretaker Jim Barron staying on as first team coaches.
[5] Sampson was sacked by Northampton Town on 2 March 2011 following a run of 7 games without a win, ending in a 3–2 defeat by Burton Albion, leaving the Cobblers in 16th place in League Two.
Sampson had received mixed reaction from the stands, with some supporters wanting a change, however he was one of the club's most popular managers and, notably, his team beat the Premier League side Liverpool at Anfield, on penalties, in the League Cup in September 2010.
However, after five straight defeat at the start of the 2012–13 season Sampson resigned as manager at Corby Town.
[11] On 10 February 2021, Sampson became caretaker assistant manager along with Marc Richards after the sacking of Keith Curle.