John Coleman Returns To Take Charge Of Accrington Stanley

As expected John Coleman has returned to take charge of Accrington Stnaley for a second time. The popular 51-year-old emerged as the red-hot favourite in the next manager betting following the recent shock departure of James Beattie, and he has now been re-appointed at the helm of the League Two club.

Coleman previously managed the Reds for 12-and-a-half-years between 1999 and 2012, during which he became the third longest-serving manager in England's top-4 leagues, behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. Coleman led the Lancashire club up from the Northern Premier League First Division, to the National Conference, and then into the Football League (2006), and went on to make them an established League Two side until his departure to Rochdale in 2012.

Coleman, who left his post at League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers (after just 88 days) in order to return to Stanley, takes charge of a side struggling down in 20th in League Two, just one point above the relegation zone following Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Oxford. Coleman's first match at the helm is a tough fixture away to 5th-placed Northampton Town (Saturday), who have won three of their last four games.