Accrington Stanley: John Coleman still feels 'blessed' to be manager

John Coleman (right) has taken charge of Accrington for 1,097 games across two spells

John Coleman has said that he still feels "blessed" to be Accrington Stanley manager.

Coleman is 10 years into his second stint at Accrington and is the second longest serving manager in the EFL behind Simon Weaver of Harrogate Town.

He has managed Stanley for almost 1,100 games across two spells, leading their return to the EFL in 2006.

"I still feel blessed to be doing a job I love, a job I dreamed about all my life," the 61-year-old said.

"I wasn't good enough to be a professional footballer, but the next best thing was to become a professional football manager."

Coleman, a former non-league striker, first took the Accrington job in 1999 when the club was in the Northern Premier League.

He led them to three promotions to secure their return to the EFL after a 44-year hiatus.

John Coleman has overseen four promotions with Accrington across his two spells as manager

'I feel lucky'

Coleman left for Rochdale in 2012 but returned to Stanley two years later.

He led Accrington to the League Two title in 2018, but they were relegated last season after five years in the third tier.

His side are 15th in League Two this season but only five points off of the play-off places.

"I don't get blase about it. The novelty has not worn off," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We've been full-time now for 20-odd years and that novelty won't wear off because it's something I thoroughly enjoy.

"I think I transmit how much pleasure I get and my enthusiasm still transmits to the players of how lucky I feel.

"And I keep on reminding them how lucky they are."

Accrington beat Wrexham 2-0 in their first league meeting this season in November

'Not a shock to beat bigger teams'

Accrington are away to promotion chasing Wrexham on Saturday, looking to complete a league double over the Welsh club.

With their Hollywood owners, Wrexham have one of the biggest budgets in League Two, but Coleman's Stanley are used to the role of underdogs.

Their 2-0 victory in November ended an 11-game unbeaten run for Wrexham, but there was anger between the two clubs over an increase in ticket prices for the match in east Lancashire.

"I think they felt slighted that they were beaten by 'little' Accrington Stanley," Coleman said.

"We've proved over the last 12, 15 years that we're no longer little Accrington. We may be in terms of monetary value and what we can pay, but we live within our means and we're rich in spirit.

"It's not a shock when we do well, it's not a shock when we beat so-called bigger teams.

"We played them and beat them and that will still be hanging over this game."