Andy Holt: Accrington Stanley chairman explains John Coleman & Jimmy Bell sackings

Andy Holt (centre) said he enjoyed working with John Coleman (left) and Jimmy Bell until relations soured

Manager John Coleman and assistant Jimmy Bell were sacked by Accrington because of "a combination of poor performance and public disagreements", chairman Andy Holt has said.

The long-serving pair left on Sunday, with the club 16th in League Two.

Holt, who put the club up for sale last October, claimed the slide in form had led to losses totalling £1.6m.

While he maintained Coleman and Bell were "heroes" to fans, he said "serious mistakes" were made in management.

"Despite this I didn't want it to end," Holt said in his statement.

"I have worked with John and Jimmy and most of the time it was great, and fun.

"They performed badly in our relegation season, I didn't sack them like every other owner would have.

"I chose to fund the losses because I still believe Accrington deserves and desperately need a great club."

Coleman's place in Stanley folklore was achieved over two spells, in which he guided the club back to the Football League and took them as high as League One - the third tier - for the first time in their history.

However, his final full season in charge ended with relegation to League Two in 2022-23, and Holt was also disappointed by an interview in October on BBC Radio Lancashire with Bell - stating a delay to new deals being offered by the chairman.

The Stanley chief says a new 12-month extension would have been issued with the club safe from another relegation, with the management duo having been given a "last chance" on the basis of their past achievements.

"They went public and divided our fanbase probably forever, an action that I did not deserve, having looked after them extremely well in my time at the club," Holt continued.

"I knew without retraction our relationship was over. Despite having months and months to do this, they didn't."

Holt maintains both Coleman and Bell will continue to be heralded for their work at the club despite the fallout, with the bar at the stadium to remain named after Coleman.

"I passionately believe I have to take the club down another stable, long-term path, my job is to create a club that lasts long after my time or that of any manager or player," Holt added.

"I am still doing my best. I knew this was coming. I offered the club for sale without receiving a single bid.

"I'm trapped between funding the club or putting it into administration. I chose to continue funding it only if it can be put on a stable path, an outcome I know is achievable. That's what is happening and where I stand."