[long_read]

Sky Bet League One side Rochdale have parted company with manager Keith Hill, the club have now confirmed.

The 49-year old is a respected figure at Spotland, having made over 150 appearances during a five-year playing stint with the Lancashire club, and the manager also guided the club to two promotions from League Two.

The former Dale defender then began his management career at the club, spending five years with the club before departing for Barnsley in 2011. He then returned to the club in 2013, before being relieved of his duties on Monday morning.

Rochdale are currently fighting for their lives at the bottom of the League One table - the club escaped relegation on the final day of last season, but are now five points adrift of safety after nine defeats in their previous 11 games.

With a managerial appointment needed sooner rather than later, here we take a look at three ideal replacements for Rochdale to consider...

[snack_break title="Kevin Nolan"]

Nolan has been without a job since his controversial departure from Notts County at the beginning of the season, where the former Newcastle United midfielder was sacked just five games into the campaign.

The 36-year old guided the club to a League Two play-off semi-final finish last term, a year after taking them from the bottom of the League Two table to a comfortable midtable finish.

He would inject real passion and character into the side, and would be a very shrewd appointment by the club.

[snack_break title="Paul Hurst"]

Another excellent appointment by the club would be Paul Hurst.

Things didn't really work out for the 44-year old at Ipswich Town, however he is widely known for his impressive work at Shrewsbury Town.

The former Grimsby Town boss walked into the Shropshire club when they were in the midst of a relegation battle, but he then steered them well away from the relegation zone and took them to the League One play-off final last term.

He's been there and done it before, and he could definitely work his wonders with Rochdale if he was appointed.

[snack_break title="Darrell Clarke"]

This would probably be the most questionable appointments out of the three, however it could be a risk that needs to be taken.

Clarke was sacked by Dale's relegation rivals Bristol Rovers in December, and the Gas currently sit one place above Rochdale in 21st place.

He took the Bristol club from the National League to League One in the space of two years, and would be a good appointment by Rochdale if given time.

[/long_read]