SLIGO ROVERS HAVE announced that manager Paul Cook’s talks over a proposed move to Accrington Stanley have ended unsuccessfully.
The 44-year-old was granted permission to speak with the club by the Bit O’Red earlier in the week and negotiations over a compensation package were held.
The two clubs eventually agreed a fee but it has emerged that Cook himself failed to agree personal terms.
A statement on the club’s website read: “Sligo Rovers wish to announce that Paul Cook is expected to return to Sligo this weekend after talks between Paul and Accrington Stanley concluded unsuccesfully.
We would like to thank Accrington’s Peter Marsden for his professionalism and courtesy in the negotiations with Sligo Rovers and we wish them the very best for the future.
“We would also like to thank our supporters for their patience this week regarding this issue and look forward to a return to focus on our pre-season preparations.”
And speaking on Ocean Fm this evening, club chairman Michael Toolan added: “Paul asked to speak to Accrington with a view to taking up the position if everyone could agree on a deal.
“It made sense as it is near to where he is from and he’s always said he’d like to move back so we reluctantly accepted it. Myself and their chairman Peter Marsden discussed figures and we eventually came to an agreement. However, Paul couldn’t agree personal terms.
“Hopefully everything goes forward and we push on with the plans we had before this broke and give it a damn good run.”
Ian Foster was tipped as a possible replacement and talks were held with the former Galway United and Dundalk manager but they have been called off.
We were in discussions with Ian and I’d like to thank him for the work he put in but he has gone back to England,” said Toolan.
Cook is due to return to Sligo tomorrow and will now prepare for the start of the league campaign, which is less than a month away. After investing heavily in playing staff during the close season, they will be expected to challenge Shamrock Rovers and the Premier Division’s other title hopefuls.
