Jimmy McNulty named as Rochdale AFC head coach for next two years

Jimmy McNulty has been named as Rochdale AFC's head coach after signing a two-year contract with the club.

McNulty had two interim spells in charge of the team during the 2022/23 season, including the final eight games of the campaign, which yielded a return of three wins and three draws.

The 38-year-old, who has represented the club for eight seasons as a player, says he is proud and honoured to become head coach.

“The opportunity to lead our team and represent our club, which the fans cherish, has always been a dream of mine.

“To be given the opportunity at a club so close to mine and my family’s hearts, is really special to me.

“As a boy, first and foremost I dreamt of becoming a footballer, then when I did, I very quickly knew I wanted to become a manager thereafter.

“Within a couple of years of being a Dale player, I knew that this would be the club where I hoped to fulfil that ambition.

“Keith [Hill] often said I would be a future manager of the club and it fills me with great pride that I am able to do that.

“The most important thing to me moving forward is that everyone who comes to work for Rochdale Football Club is 100% committed to the team, the club and the town.

“The culture of our environment, and the culture of the changing room, are vital as we begin a new chapter in the club’s history.

“Our fans have supported myself and the team amazingly, which is something I truly appreciate. Nothing is possible without them, and I hope we can unite moving forward for the next part in the club’s story.”

Commenting on the appointment, the board of directors said: “The board is delighted to have appointed Jimmy McNulty as our head coach.

“Assisted by MRKT Insights, we have carried out a thorough recruitment process that included a long list, which was narrowed down to a five-man shortlist, culminating in his appointment.

“There was wide-ranging criteria that Jim came out on top of. In his time here as a player, he has seen what success looks like at this club.

“We are all looking forward to getting behind him as our rebuild and push towards regaining our place in the EFL gets underway.”

McNulty joined Dale as a player in the summer of 2015, following spells at clubs such as Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Brighton & Hove Albion, Barnsley and Bury.

He has made 237 appearances for the club across eight seasons, more recently transitioning into a player/coach role for the previous two campaigns.