Interview: Rochdale AFC manager Jim Bentley

On his second week in the job, Style caught up with Dale's new manager Jim Bentley.

A former defender, Jim had a 17 year affinity with Morecambe, firstly as a player and then as manager, having taking over the managerial reigns there in 2011, at the club where he had spent the majority of his senior playing career.

During his eight-and-a-half year spell in charge of the football league side, he managed over 400 games and was the longest serving manager across the Premier League and EFL until his departure in October 2019 to join AFC Fylde.

Style: What first attracted you to Rochdale and how has your first week been?

Jim: Rochdale has always struck me as a decent, solid club over the years, either playing or managing against them.

Although we find ourselves in a difficult situation at the moment, I’m thankful to be here. We know it’s had it’s off field problems but it’s well run and now it’s got a structure in place. It's also an honest, hard working football club, in an honest and hard working area. It’s my type of place... it’s my type of club. Hopefully the future is bright for us here.

The first week was very hectic. I’ve come in on the Monday, we’ve had a game against Accrington on the Tuesday along with Nick Chadwick signing as Assistant Manager. We had deadline day on the Thursday, then we were preparing for the game Friday, ahead of the game on

Saturday away at Carlisle - so my first week was very, very busy. I have really enjoyed it despite a lack of sleep!

Who do you take your leadership inspiration from?

My biggest inspiration in life was my father, who sadly passed away 15 years ago. He was a footballer himself, came through the ranks at Everton FC, played for the first team, then went on to Telford United becoming their record goalscorer. He’s had a stand named after him so he’s obviously a big name there.

I’ve got two older brothers and the three of us looked up to him growing up with how thorough he was and how organised he was. He was always someone I could speak to as he’s been there and done it. Even though he’s been gone 15 years he is still a massive inspiration for me.

How has your playing experience influenced your managerial style?

Anybody who’s a professional footballer is in a privileged position to get paid to do something they love and should always try to enjoy it, work hard and play at the highest level you can and for me it was League Two.

It's about working hard, being respectful and honest, giving it your all and embracing the challenge and I think I’ve took that into my managerial career as well. When I was a captain at clubs I tried to create a spirit and I think I try to do that as a manager as well.

Rochdale is known for developing young players into the first team - are you hoping to harness the strength of the academy?

100%! Again from the outside looking in, it’s always a football club that’s done well on that side. I want to embrace that, much like we did at Fylde and Morecambe, such as getting them training with us and if they’re good enough get them on the pitch.

I was fortunate to do that in my first game with Kevin Dos Santos coming on the pitch at 15 year of age. It’s great for the kid and his family and it’s massive for Rochdale and the academy as well.

We’ll certainly be tapping into Tony Ellis (Academy Manager) who’s got a proven track record; he’s a good person and there’s some other good academy staff.

We’ve spoken regularly since I’ve been in the door. We’ve had young lads training with us, we’ve had an in house game with the weekend's game being called off and played quite a few of them.

We had a game last week in the U23 Central League Cup where I think we ended up with about eight of our academy players on the pitch.

People can always relate to one of their own, such as Ethan Brierley who’s doing really well at the minute Kevin Dos Santos, Jordan Scanlon, Brad Kelly.

Who would be on your dream 5-a-side team?

From the players I’ve played with at Morecambe and Telford I’d choose Barry Roche as goalkeeper, who’s currently goalkeeper coach at Morecambe now. Easily big enough to fill a 5-a-side goal too.

I used to play with a player called Michael Twiss at Morecambe, who came through the ranks at Man United, with a sweet left foot who Peter Schmeichel said has the harshest shot he’d faced.

Carl Baker was another good technical player I played with so I’d definitely say him too. Alongside him I’d say Dave Perkins to do a bit of running, who I know is a bit of a Rochdale legend - I played with him at Morecambe and managed at Fylde. He’s still playing now at 40 years of age and can do everything on a pitch.

I’d love to play in that team, so I’d say myself at the back infront of Barry Roche so not many would get past us and the front three would do the rest!

You stepped away from football for a while since leaving Fylde; what did you get up to?

Yes, I think it was because I’ve had a bit of an issue myself 18 months ago. I’m fully over it now but I think coming off the back of covid and having the operation that I had, a double heart bypass, it can make you take stock of life.

I'd been in the game for 30 years, signed for Man City as a 16 year old kid then suddenly I’m 46 working the same times flat out, so it was nice to take some time out, take stock, assess things and spend time with my family.

We did quite a bit of camping with the family going to certain places such as North Wales, Shropshire; getting out, catching up with people and going to watch a couple of games.

The most important thing was spending time with my family due to the time they had off school, making tea for the wife and kids... but now I’ve rested and I'm ready to go again.

You were loved by the fans at Morecambe due to your committment during tough circumstances… do you have a message for Dale fans this season?

Get behind your side. This football club has been here many many years and the most important people at the football club are the fans. Managers, players, board members all come and go but the ones who are always here are the fans.

We want to give them something to be proud of and show that we are all in it together. It’s certainly important with the position we are in right now that they get behind us and push us on up the table.

Ruth Parkinson