Sligo Rovers have named John Coleman as the SSE Airtricity Premier Division club’s new manager following the recent departure of Ian Baraclough from the Showgrounds.

The 51-year-old former Rochdale, Accrington Stanley and Southport boss joins with assistant Jimmy Bell to form the new Rovers managerial team after fellow Englishman Baraclough and his assistant Gary Stevens’ two-and-half-year tenure ended on Thursday.

Coleman led Accrington into the Football League from the Conference in a near 13-year spell in charge of the club.

Bell has previously worked with Coleman at his three previous clubs and has also been part of the backroom team at Port Vale.

Baraclough departed after a poor start to the 2014 season which saw the Bit O’Red go into the mid-season break in fifth place in the Premier Division, 17 points behind leaders Dundalk.

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" - John Coleman

“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 have good players here and I want to get the best out of them" - John Coleman “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.”

The duo join Rovers on a rolling contract will be presented to the media at the Clarion Hotel in Sligo on Sunday at 6pm.