in july 2004 steve mcclaren appointed crosby as reserve team manager at middlesbrough. when mcclaren was appointed as england manager in the summer of 2006, new middlesbrough manager gareth southgate appointed crosby as assistant manager. he was released by middlesbrough in june 2009, following their relegation to the championship. in september 2009, crosby took on a coaching role at northampton town. following the sacking of ian sampson on 2 march 2011 he took on the temporary running of the club until a full-time replacement was found.