Football: Rochdale AFC sacks manager Keith Hill

Dale manager Keith Hill has been sacked by the club (Monday 4 March) after six years, alongside assistant manager Chris Beech.

A statement released by Chairman Andrew Kilpatrick said: “Rochdale Football Club has terminated the contracts of Keith Hill and Chris Beech with immediate effect.

“It has been the most difficult decision that the board has had to make but it is felt that due to results on the pitch, that a new direction is needed. We believe the next five games against opposition in and around us represents a great opportunity to try and retain our League One status, which is why this action has been taken now.

“Brian Barry Murphy and Tony Ellis will take training this week ahead of Saturday’s game against Shrewsbury Town.

“As a duo, Hill and Beech have enjoyed huge successes with the club, including most recently the promotion to League One in 2013/14, as well as securing three top 10 finishes in the division since then. The pair also had many FA Cup successes together, reaching at least the fourth round of the competition in four out of the last six seasons.

“Hill has achieved two out of the three promotions in Rochdale’s history and is rightly regarded as the club’s most successful manager. Beech had been with the club for 12-years, starting out as Youth Team Manager, and was the catalyst, along with Hill, behind the success of the Academy as we now know it.

“The board would like to place on record their thanks to Keith and Chris for their exceptional services to the club and wish them all the best for the future. 

“A further announcement will be made in due course.”

 

 

Hill returned to manage Rochdale from Barnsley in January 2013 after John Coleman, now manager of Accrington Stanley, was sacked.

His return led Rochdale to promotion to League One in his first full season back at the helm in 2013-14.

Under Hill’s guidance, Rochdale has won 134 of 339 games played during his second tenure. Dale is currently 22nd in the league.

The former footballer, 49, also guided the club to top-10 finishes in three successive third tier seasons before the team famously narrowly avoided relegation last season.

Hill initially enjoyed a successful first bout as Dale manager after taking over from Steve Parkin as caretaker manager at the end of 2006. He was appointed manager in January 2007, went on to win promotion in 2010 and then equalled the clubs best-ever league finish before leaving to join Barnsley in the summer of 2011.