No move for Hill

Want to buy this photo?

Keith Hill

Keith Hill has confirmed that he will not be moving to Barnsley and its business as usual at Rochdale.

The Dale manager held talks with the Yorkshire outfit but ruled himself and assistant boss Dave Flitcroft out of contention on Tuesday (24 May) morning.

He said: “We have been having talks with Barnsley and I have ruled myself out of the running as far the managerial post goes.

"I'm not desperate or eager to leave a job I am very happy doing and we have all been very successful in our time here, not just Dave and myself but the players too and with success brings attention.

"I'm flattered that attention came from Barnsley, a Championship club because the league itself is a tremendous one but after a lot of deliberation and conversation with my family, friends and colleagues in the game I have decided to withdraw from taking the post."

The talks haven't put Hill’s pre-season plans on hold at Spotland. The Dale boss admits they have been a distraction but it is business as usual as far as he is concerned and it has not been anything different

He continued: “We haven't stopped planning to be honest. I'm the manager of Rochdale Football Club and the pre-season process won't change and it hasn't. It is my job and I enjoy doing it very much and we won't stop working as hard and as diligently as we do for this club.”

He concluded: “I won't deny there is a selfish edge to it too. I want success for me, but I also want it for my family, the players and the supporters and the staff and we are looking forward to the future and it is business as usual despite talks or speculation."