Stockport County manager Dave Challinor has left the club by mutual consent after almost five years in charge. Challinor, 50, led the Hatters from the National League to England's third tier.

What happened?

The former Stockport defender returned to Edgeley Park as manager in November 2021 and won 144 of his 268 games in the dugout.

Alongside his two promotions with the club, he previously went up a division five more times - once at Colwyn Bay in his first campaign as a manager, three times with Fylde and once with Hartlepool.

Why it matters for Stockport County

A Stockport statement said Challinor had "helped transform the trajectory of the football club", "overseen one of the most successful eras in the club's modern history" and created "numerous memorable moments that will live forever".

Challinor told the club website, "the time felt right" to step away, adding: "What a journey it's been. An amazing five years that have gone as I would have hoped, and probably beyond what I expected."

What comes next?

Chief executive officer Simon Wilson is also leaving Edgeley Park after six years while long-serving keeper Ben Hinchliffe departs after 10 years.

StatValue
League standing3rd in League One, 77 pts, 22W-11D-13L from 46 games
Goals this season71 scored, 58 conceded (+13 goal difference)
Title race26 points behind leaders Lincoln
Last resultBolton 4-1 Stockport County (2026-05-24)
Recent form3W-0D-2L (LLWWW, most recent first)

As of the end of the 2025-2026 season, Stockport County sits in a strong position, with a solid foundation for the new manager to build upon.