x

Jim Bentley Appointed New Dale Boss

Rochdale have now confirmed Jim Bentley as the new manager following the rumours last week.

Journalist Pete O'Rourke, was spot on as he usually is and Bentley joins Dale on a two-year deal.

Jim McNulty had taken temporary charge for three games, including out first point of the season at home to Crawley Town this past weekend. He reverts back to player/coach while Bentley will announce his own assistant manager.

Dale are still currently bottom of the EFL with one point from the opening six games and it obviously goes without saying that a change in fortunes is desperate now at this stage.

Despite having been around for what seems like forever, Jim Bentley has only managed two clubs, Morecambe and AFC Fylde but was dismissed from Fylde, where a certain former director was running things, back in March this year. He was appointed manager of Fylde in 2019 and Fylde won 46 of their 94 games under him, drawing 20 and losing 28 at a win percentage of 49%.

Prior to that, Bentley was a long-serving manager at Morecambe, starting there in 2011 and staying there for the best part of a decade in League Two. A couple of very narrow escapes from relegation aside, Morecambe were pretty much a bottom half/mid-table side under Bentley who will no doubt have had a lower budget than most. He resigned and took over at Fylde while Morecambe were bottom of League Two. Over his lengthy spell there, Morecambe won 123 games from 434 games, drawing 119 and losing 192 at a win percentage of 28%.

Good luck Jim, I think you're going to need it!

What to read next:

Rochdale v Brackley Town - Game Off
Rochdale's home game, at Accrington, against Brackley Town has been called off.
TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Brackley Town
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Saturday’s Enterprise National League fixture against Brackley Town.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Brackley Town
Dale’s ‘home’ game against Brackley Town at Accrington Stanley on Saturday will be refereed by JAMES BANCROFT.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
Dale’s final game of 2025 against Hartlepool United at Accrington on Tuesday night will be refereed by WILL DAVIS.
TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Hartlepool United
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Tuesday’s Enterprise National League fixture against Hartlepool United.
Refwatch - Morecambe v Rochdale
Dale’s trip to Morecambe on Boxing Day will be refereed by AARON JACKSON.
Refwatch - Altrincham v Rochdale
Dale’s fifth meeting with Altrincham in 2025 on Friday night will be refereed by PETER WRIGHT.
Refwatch - Leamington v Rochdale (FA Trophy)
Dale’s FA Trophy third round tie at Leamington on Saturday will be refereed by NIALL SMITH.
Supporter Coaches For Accrington Home Games
Our friends at Twisted Mule and Mill About are looking to provide supporter coaches for the two home games being played at Accrington Stanley while our pitch is being reconstructed.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Southend United
Dale’s rearranged game at home to Southend United on Saturday will be refereed by ANDREW HUMPHRIES.