After weeks of speculation Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman has decided to leave the League Two club to become manager of League One strugglers Rochdale. The club's have agreed a compensation package and Rochdale will hold a news conference today to unveil Coleman, who spent 13 years at the Crown Ground. The 49-year-old joins a club languishing in 23rd and four points away from safety, while he leaves Stanley 10th in the table and just two points outside the play-offs.
Rochdale sacked manager Steve Eyre last month after just six months in charge. The decision was made following a run of poor results with the club at the time winning just one of their last 10 games. The Dale, who are currently without a win in nine games, host Bury on Saturday in what will be Coleman's first match in charge. Both clubs have been priced at 13/8 with Stan James to win the match, while a draw can be found at 23/10.
Stanley have responded to Coleman's departure by placing Leam Richardson in caretaker charge. Former Stanley player Paul Cook has emerged as the early favourite in the Next Accrington Stanley Manager Betting, while other names in the running early on include Liam Watson, Richardson, David Unsworth and David Flitcroft. The club will start life without Coleman with a match on Saturday against promotion rivals Gillingham who are one point above them in the league. Both teams are available at 13/8 to get the three points, with a draw available at 23/10.
Odds courtesy of Stan James.
