Rochdale Appoint Steve Eyre As New Manager
by Steve Claridge / 14 June 2011, 16:13TweetRochdale have appointed the former Manchester City youth team coach Steve Eyre as their new manager. The 39-year-old replaces Keith Hill, who left the League One side to take over at Championship side Barnsley at the beginning of June. It's a huge move for Eyre and arguably a big gamble by Rochdale as Eyre has no managerial experience at senior level.
However, Eyre does have an abundace of experience at youth level having spent a successful 21 years as youth team coach at Manchester City, where he helped guide City's young guns to five league titles and two FA Youth Cup finals during his time at the club. Making the step up to senior level is a big challenge but one that he is very much looking forward to. Eyre will reportedly have money available to strengthen the squad and he is currently on the prowl for some summer bargains.
Hill left Spotland earlier in June to become the new Barnsley boss after a successful four-and-a-half-seasons as manager of Rochdale. The 42-year-old joined The Dale in 2007 and in 2010 he won promotion to League One with the club, ending a record 36year stay in the bottom tier of the Football League. He built on that success last season by guiding Rochdale to an impressive ninth place finish in the league, their best position in 84 years. So, Eyre certainly has his work cut out for him at Spotland as he looks ahead to the new season.
Rochdale are 33/1 withVictor Chandler to win League One next season and 14/1 to get promoted.
