Rochdale are currently undergoing something of a rebuild ahead of their first EFL campaign since the 2022-23 campaign.
Dale secured promotion from the National League after victory in the play-off final against Boreham Wood. Despite leading them to victory, their manager, Jimmy McNulty, has joined Stockport County as their new manager.
This article will look at five options that Rochdale could turn to as their new manager ahead of the 2026-26 League Two campaign.
Karl Robinson – Unattached
One name being mentioned as a potential successor is Karl Robinson. The 45-year-old was sacked from his role at Salford City after defeat in the League Two play-off final against Notts County.
Robinson has had a successful managerial career to date, having managed Milton Keynes Dons, Charlton Athletic, and Oxford United. He won promotion from League One with the Dons in 2015 and reached the play-offs with Oxford and Salford.
Last season, he guided Salford to fourth place, missing out on automatic promotion by one point. The Ammies gained 1.76 points per game and won 25 matches, more than any side in the division.
Appointing Robinson may lead to a different style of play than what Dale fans were used to under McNulty. Despite this, the former Salford manager has a track record of success and may provide Rochdale with a platform to kick on in League Two.
Andy Butler – Scunthorpe United
If Rochdale wanted to look into the National League for their next managerial appointment, then Andy Butler might be their best option. Butler has been in charge of Scunthorpe United for two successful years since his appointment in May 2024.
In his first season with the Iron, the 42-year-old led them to second in the National League North. Despite missing out on the title and automatic promotion, Butler led Scunthorpe to promotion through the play-offs.
His success with the club continued as they secured a play-off spot on their return to the fifth tier. The Iron finished fifth and lost in the play-off semi-final to eventual winners Rochdale.
Across his spell in charge of the Lincolnshire side, Butler has a 52% win rate and has picked up an average of 1.8 points per game. Butler’s winning mentality and track record of success could be of interest to Rochdale as they look to progress and work their way back up the EFL.
Pete Wild – Unattached
One manager currently available after keeping Tranmere Rovers in League Two is Pete Wild. The 41-year-old picked up six points in his ten games to avoid relegation with the Wirral side.
Wild’s spells in charge at FC Halifax Town and Barrow could be the reason why Dale would appoint him. He spent three years at Halifax and led them to the sixth and fourth in his first and third campaigns, respectively.
Wild left the Shaymen with a 49% win rate and an average of 1.6 points per game to join Barrow. After a ninth-place finish in his first campaign, Wild’s side flirted with automatic promotion and the play-offs during his second.
The club eventually finished in eighth, and Wild moved on after an average of 1.4 points per game. Despite managerial stints at Fleetwood Town and Tranmere not reaching the same heights, Wild has shown his ability to build successful sides on comparatively smaller budgets than those of the divisions his sides are in.
Wild is a boyhood Oldham Athletic fan, so a move to Rochdale would be crossing over to his side’s rivals. If he is able to put this to one side, then a move to Dale could be a smart appointment for both.
Kevin Maher – Unattached
Another manager who has recently found themselves without a club that might be a good option for Rochdale is Kevin Maher. The 49-year-old spent five years in charge of Southend United in the National League.
Over the course of his tenure, he dealt with significant off-field issues, including point deductions and transfer embargos. Despite these difficulties, in his four full seasons in charge, he didn’t finish below ninth place.
In the two most recent seasons, Maher guided Southend to the play-offs and reached the final in 2025, which his side lost to Oldham Athletic. On the National League Lowdown podcast, co-host Craig stated that Kevin Maher could look back on his spell in Essex as a success:
“Ultimately, I believe he’s done a good job. I think he’s been a steady pair of hands and I think he’s been a pair of hands that has got them through so many rough times”.
During his tenure at Roots Hall, he had a 45% win rate and averaged 1.6 points per game. In his last game in charge, Maher won the FA Trophy at Wembley, Southend’s first domestic trophy.
Despite his departure from the Shrimpers, the 49-year-old may offer a stable pair of hands and provide the opportunity for Rochdale to solidify themselves as a League Two club again.
Christian Fuchs – Newport County
A former Premier League champion could be one name that Rochdale could turn to for their new manager. Christian Fuchs won the Premier League title as a player with Leicester City and embarked on his first managerial role in England with Newport County in 2025.
After a spell as assistant coach for Charlotte FC in the United States, the 40-year-old took over Newport County in November 2025. When he joined, the Exiles were bottom of League Two, having picked up 11 points from 16 games.
Despite the likelihood of relegation, Fuchs led Newport to safety by picking up nine wins from 30 games and an average of 1.07 points per game. This change in fortune could be a reason why Fuchs would be one for the Rochdale vacancy.
Despite his limited time in charge as a manager, Fuchs has shown he can defy the odds and achieve success. Moving to a club like Rochdale may provide him with more tools and resources to progress further up the league and pyramid with Dale.
