Rochdale's Jim McNulty has been appointed as the new manager of Stockport County on a three-year deal. McNulty led Rochdale back to the English Football League after a three-year absence, when they won the National League promotion final at Wembley last month. He arrives at Edgeley Park after former Hatters boss Dave Challinor left the club following their League One play-off final defeat by Bolton Wanderers. McNulty said of the club he played for in 2008-09, "To go full circle and return all these years on as head coach at County feels incredible." McNulty initially took over at Rochdale on an interim basis in 2023 before signing a two-year deal. He led them to an 11th-place finish in their first season in the National League and sealed a play-off spot in 2024-25 before their promotion-winning campaign last term. Rochdale said they had put succession plans in place in case McNulty departed the club. "On behalf of the board, the staff, the players and our incredible fans, we thank Jimmy for his fight, honesty and love for this club, as both a player and head coach. He has left us in a stronger place, and that is his legacy," a Rochdale statement said. McNulty takes over a Stockport side who missed out on promotion from League One in May's play-off final at Wembley, when they were well beaten by near neighbours Bolton. Prior to his exit, Challinor had been the fifth longest-serving manager in the EFL and won two promotions with Stockport, lifting them from the National League to the third tier.