Accrington sack John Coleman after Wrexham thrashing

He's gone after their 4-0 loss to Wrexham - ending his latest 10-year stint as manager - and his 23-year relationship with the club

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman during the Emirates FA Cup third round match at the LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, Borehamwood. Picture date: Saturday January 7, 2023.
Author: Oliver MorganPublished 3rd Mar 2024
Last updated 3rd Mar 2024

League Two club Accrington have sacked manager John Coleman - ending his 23-year relationship with the club, and after nearly a decade in charge of the side during this latest stint.

His second spell in charge lasted 10 years, but a 4-nil defeat at Wrexham yesterday (2 March) proved to be his last game.

Assistant manager Jimmy Bell's also been released from his contract with immediate effect in a short statement shared today on the club's website.

Stanley are currently 16th in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Coleman first took charge of the club between 1999 and 2012.

During this time, he took them into the Football League, after not being in there for 44 years.

Two years later, in September 2014, he returned - and helped them win the League Two title in 2018, but they were relegated from the third tier last season.

In a statement on X, the club said: "#asfc can today confirm that John Coleman and Jimmy Bell have been informed that their contracts are terminated with immediate effect.

"Everyone at the club thanks them for their long-standing service and we wish them all the very best for the future."

Coleman had been the second-longest serving manager in the EFL behind Harrogate's Simon Weaver, much of whose tenure came in non-league football.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.