Sligo Rovers have confirmed John Coleman as the club’s new manager. The former Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Southport manager joins The Bit o’Red after the club recently parted company with Ian Baraclough.
Coleman comes to the west of Ireland with his most significant achievement being a 13 year spell at Accrington Stanley during which he brought the club to the Football League.
In just two and a half years at The Showgrounds, Baraclough won the League of Ireland Premier Division, the FAI Cup and the Setanta Cup. The league win was the first for Sligo in 35 years. This season has not seen such fortunes replicated however, with Sligo 17 points off league leaders Dundalk and facing a major task to qualify for Europe.
Speaking of his new role, Coleman said: “Sligo Rovers have had unbridled success over several seasons and I see an opportunity to try to keep the club at that high level.
“The first target is to try to get up the table and challenge for the European places because that is paramount.
“We have to get impetus. Sometimes a season can hit a flat spot and I firmly believe that with hard work we can grow during this campaign and also achieve things as well. We have good players here and I want to get the best out of them.
“It’s a well-run club and it’s run by the town. The people care about the club and you want them to feel it and get behind you. That has attracted me to Sligo Rovers.
“I feel I will bring passion, good coaching, organisation and a style and ethos to play on the front foot that I hope the fans will enjoy.
“I’ve worked with Jimmy for many years, we’ve known each other for a long time and I believe we make a great partnership.
“We begin work immediately in preparation for Drogheda and the European matches as well. We don’t just want to play in a round of Europe. We want progress and an extended period of time in European football for the town to savour with big games in The Showgrounds,” Coleman said.
Coleman joins along with his assistant, Jimmy Bell. The pair join Sligo on rolling contracts.
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