Accrington Stanley FC are delighted to announce the permanent appointment of John Doolan as the club's First Team Manager, with John today signing a three-year plus contract at the Wham Stadium.
Doolan, who will work closely with Stanley's Academy, has been at the club in a coaching capacity since July 2017 and now makes the step up to the managerial role; and will confirm his backroom staff in due course.
The 55-year-old has accumulated a total of four points from his previous two games during Interim charge.
Doolan said: "I am very excited to take this role full-time, I am happy, I just can't wait to get going. I want to thank Andy Holt and the Board for giving me this fantastic opportunity, it is an honour to manage this club.
"Now the buck stops with me, the players are asking questions, the staff, there is everyting to manage, but I have taken that responsibility on since I became Interim Manager and I have embraced it.
"The first week I was all over the place emotionally, but right now I am enjoying every single minute of it.
"I have been here seven seasons now and it's important to have continuity.
"Now it's about sitting down and talking to the players, there are contracts up, getting new players in - it's new to me.
"I have helped along the way with being First Team Coach and Assistant at other clubs, but I have always been the influencer, not the decision-maker, so the job has totally changed for me now.
"They are massive decisions and ones we have to get right. It's very exciting with the youth coming through and you add your own players, experience, and youth team players, and it's a good mix.
"The future is bright."
Chairman, Andy Holt, added: "Having known John for several years, I'm confident he has the attitude, aptitude, and footballing ability to ensure our club grows and is run in a stable manner.
"As I've said before, it is with pride I view our club, Academy, Community Trust, and operational staff.
"John will work with the entire club, a club united behind a bright future.
"I look forward to helping John in his pursuit of the right people, and to assist him over the coming years wherever possible."
Having spent four years as a professional at Wigan Athletic between 1992 and 1996, he then joined Stanley and captained the Reds to the 1999/00 UniBond First Division title; playing 33 times and scoring three goals.
After retiring, the Liverpudlian worked for both Liverpool's and Everton's academies, before returning to the DW Stadium as Youth Team Coach in November 2011, followed by a promotion to The Tics' First Team staff.
The 2014 season saw Wigan, under the stewardship of Uwe Rosler, Graham Barrow, and Doolan, overcome Manchester City and reach the FA Cup semi-finals, alongside finishing in the Championship Play-Offs places.
A move to Hibernian followed that summer and during their second campaign at Easter Road, Alan Stubbs' side ended a tortuous 114-year wait to lift the Scottish Cup; as well as making the 2015/16 League Cup final.
Having returned to East Lancashire in 2017, he was then part of the management team that guided Stanley to the fourth tier title nine months later, before back-to-back top-half League One finishes (2021 and 2022).
Please note; Goalkeeping Coach, Andy Dibble, and Head Of Sports Science And Performance, Chris Scholes, will remain in their respective roles, with the rest of Doolan's backroom staff to be confirmed in due course.
