Michael Clegg to leave Warrington Rylands to join Macclesfield

Blues have confirmed the departure of their manager in order to take up the vacant managerial position at Northern Premier League Premier Division Macclesfield, who have confirmed his appointment on an 18-month deal.

Clegg has taken assistant manager Nicky Hunt and coach Lewis Hardcastle with him to Moss Rose to replace Alex Bruce, who left Macc earlier this week to take up the assistant manager position at EFL club Salford City.

> Warrington Rylands chairman Mark Pye discusses Michael Clegg's departure and the search for his successor here

Manager Michael Clegg has departed the club to pursue another opportunity within football. Coaches Nicky Hunt and Lewis Hardcastle are also departing.

We would like to thank Cleggy and his staff for their efforts over the past 12-months and wish them all the best for the future.

— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) February 22, 2024

Senior player Dean Furman will take caretaker charge of the team for Saturday's home game against Gainsborough Trinity as the search for a new manager begins at Gorsey Lane.

Clegg leaves Rylands despite having only signed a two-year extension to his contract earlier this month after just over a year in charge.

He also leaves them sat in third place in the table for one of the sides chasing them, with Macclesfield two places and three points further back with a game in hand.

In total, Clegg took charge of Rylands 46 times since his appointment on February 14 last year, with 22 victories at a ratio of just under 48 per cent.

Michael Clegg won 22 of his 46 games in charge of Warrington Rylands (Image: Mark Percy)

'The opportunity to manage one of non-league's biggest clubs'

As well as chasing promotion to the National League North, Macclesfield are also chasing a Wembley final as they are in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Clegg will now be responsible to guiding the Silkmen towards those goals and their director of football Robbie Savage - the former Premier League player, Wales international and BBC Sport pundit - believes they have the right man for the job.

“We are delighted to appoint Michael Clegg and his backroom staff to Macclesfield Football Club," he said.

"Michael has many years of experience having managed nearly 500 games at this level of football.

“We believe that this is the right time to offer Michael the chance to manage at one of the biggest clubs in Non League with the objectives being clear in trying to get out of the league and a potential trip to Wembley.

“Michael has signed an 18 month contract at the club and we are looking forward to welcoming him and his staff to the Leasing.com Stadium.

“What he has done with Warrington Rylands is remarkable in leading them into a play off place this season.

"He leaves a fantastic club in a great place and now has an opportunity to progress the club into the National League system.”

“We have given young, hungry managers a chance with their first job in management who have then progressed into the EFL.

“We also recognise the talent of hardworking managers in the league and Michael who has earned this opportunity now has a chance to showcase his skills in front of 4,000 fans.”

'A hammer blow for Rylands at the worst time' - analysis

By Matt Turner

This will be the last news anyone associated with Warrington Rylands would want to hear.

There has been a bit of upheaval at Gorsey Lane of late, with injuries and suspensions to key players, the departure of leading goalscorer Adama Sidibeh and a general blip in on-field form.

However, the loss of a manager that has helped push them into promotion contention against all the odds is perhaps the biggest hammer blow of all.

Having assembled a squad of players willing to run through brick walls for him and each other, Clegg was the spearhead of a season that has given them a genuine chance of joining neighbours Warrington Town in the National League North next season.

Unfortunately though, money talks and as their cross-town rivals have discovered themselves this season on a couple of occasions in losing players to Macclesfield, the Silkmen have resources aplenty in that regard.

And while Clegg will no doubt be fully aware of their tendency to be trigger-happy with their managers, he clearly feels the opportunity to manage one of non-league's fastest-growing clubs is one he must take.

It leaves Blues in an awkward position - third in the table and still very much in command of their own destiny when it comes to securing a play-off spot, but now without a manager with 11 games to go.

Will this be the killer blow to their hopes? Or will it unite them for one last push?