Bradford City's League Two rivals appoint ex-Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic man as interim boss

Former Rotherham United coach John Doolan has been appointed interim manager of Accrington Stanley.
Tom Coates
By Tom Coates
Published 4th Mar 2024, 12:54 GMT

The League Two side dismissed John Coleman yesterday (March 3), bringing his decade-long tenure to an abrupt end following a 4-0 defeat to Wrexham. A temporary appointment has now been made, with Doolan stepping up from his role as first-team coach.

He will have help from goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble and head of sports science and performance Chris Scholes. Doolan will be in the dugout for Accrington’s meeting with Bradford City on Saturday (March 9).

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John Doolan was part of John Coleman's Accrington Stanley coaching team. Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)John Doolan was part of John Coleman's Accrington Stanley coaching team. Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
John Doolan was part of John Coleman's Accrington Stanley coaching team. Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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He said: "I have been asked to take over the reins at the club and I will do the best job I can. My main focus is now on Bradford City on Saturday, and I ask all the fans to get behind the team as they always do."

Doolan has a wealth of coaching experience, having previously worked the likes of Wigan Athletic and Hibernian. He is no stranger to Yorkshire either, having assisted Alan Stubbs during his Millers tenure.

He has been employed by Accrington since 2017 and was part of the coaching team that led the club to the League Two title in 2018.

Accrington currently sit 16th in the League Two table, level on points with 15th-placed Bradford City having played two more games.

Related topics:John DoolanLeague TwoJohn ColemanWigan AthleticWrexham