Stockport County name Ian Bogie as their new manager

Blue Square Bet Premier strugglers Stockport County have appointed Ian Bogie as their new manager, immediately after sacking Darije Kalezic.

Kalezic only had 12 games in charge of the Hatters, winning three games.

Former Gateshead boss Bogie, 45, told the club's website: "Stockport County is a massive club with a great history, but everyone knows that there is a big challenge on.

"However, it is a challenge that I am looking forward to immensely."

Bogie was dismissed by Gateshead last December after five years in charge of the north-east club, having appeared for several clubs including Newcastle, Preston, Millwall, Leyton Orient and Port Vale during his playing career.

Stockport are currently 20th in the table, just two points above the relegation places.

"Having played at Edgeley Park myself in the past, I know how the blue & white army can intimidate opposing teams and I would ask that players, staff and supporters get behind us as we play the seven cup finals that we have and believe that together we can pull through," Bogie added.

The appointment in January of Kalezic, a Bosnian who was born in Switzerland, was a surprise, even though he led De Graafschap to the Dutch second division title in 2010.

County vice-chairman Spencer Fearn acknowledged that the appointment had not worked out how either party had envisaged.

He said: "The reality is that despite our best intentions, we believe that we got the decision to employ a manager without Conference experience wrong."

Bogie will be assisted by Alan Lord, who returned to the club the day before the managerial turnaround as head of development.