Jim McNulty: Stockport County appoint Rochdale boss as new manager

McNulty took charge of a Stockport side who missed out on promotion from League One in May’s play-off final at Wembley, when they were beaten by near neighbors Bolton.

Before his departure, Challinor was the fifth longest-serving manager in the English Football League (EFL) and won two promotions with Stockport, lifting them from the National League to the third tier.

But in the last two seasons, they have finished third in League One and missed out on promotion via the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Dale missed out on automatic promotion from the National League in a thrilling battle with York City, culminating in a dramatic final day draw against the Ministermen, who duly sealed the title at their expense courtesy of a 103rd-minute equaliser.

Defeated, Rochdale then secured promotion via the play-offs, but McNulty’s side were made to work for it – coming from 2-0 down at Boreham Wood to win 2-2 and extra-time and eventually on penalties.

McNulty took over at Rochdale on an interim basis as they were relegated from the EFL in 2022–23 and later signed a two-year deal as they began their first non-league campaign.

By leading them to an 11th-placed finish in their first season in the National League, McNulty sealed a play-off spot ahead of their promotion-winning campaign last term in 2024-25.

“During my time here as a player we celebrated a lot, because we played a brand of football that we were very proud of as players and that we knew the fans loved, and we found a way to win while doing it,” he added.

“That’s the idea that I want to cultivate for our supporters again, and I’m very excited to meet with them and start developing that idea together.”