Ian Watson appointed Rochdale manager on three-year deal

Rochdale have appointed Ian Watson as manager on a three‑year contract. The 40‑year‑old arrives from South Shields after guiding them to second place in the National League North last season. Watson’s South Shields missed promotion in the play‑off final to Kidderminster Harriers in May. He had lifted the club from a 17th‑place finish in 2024‑25 to its highest ever league position. Watson began his coaching career as assistant to Mike Williamson at Gateshead in 2019, helping the team win the National League North title and reach the FA Trophy final. The pair moved to MK Dons in 2023 and reached the League Two play‑off semi‑final the following year. Both later joined Carlisle United in September 2024, returned briefly to MK Dons, and Watson was appointed South Shields manager in May 2025. Watson replaces Jimmy McNulty, who left Rochdale for Stockport County after securing promotion back to the English Football League via the National League play‑offs. Co‑chairs Cameron Ogden and Simon Gauge said they had been tracking Watson for some time and were pleased to secure him as their main target.