Dave Challinor ‘expected’ to leave Stockport week on from League One playoff final defeat

Dave Challinor is reportedly ‘expected’ to leave Stockport County just week on from League One playoff final defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) first reported on the 30th of May: “Understand Stockport boss Dave Challinor is expected to leave the club. #StockportCounty

@RoversXtra claim that he is currently 1/1 on the bookies for the next Blackburn Rovers manager. But there will surely be no shortage of offers for Dave Challinor.

Understand Stockport boss Dave Challinor is expected to leave the club. #StockportCounty pic.twitter.com/yZK9V2cxHr

— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) May 30, 2026

Dave Challinor said after defeat last weekend, as per EFL: “Without going into too much detail, things didn’t go in our favour today.

“When that happens, it can be tough, and unfortunately we came out on the wrong side of the result.

“Half-time probably came at a bad time for us. The next goal was always going to be important because the conditions can be draining.

“We reacted really well in the first half to conceding early—probably because you’re still full of energy.

“We didn’t not react to the second goal; we were making changes just before that to be more positive in the final third. But that came off the back of conceding a really poor goal.

“I said at half-time I felt the game was there for us to go and kick on, but we needed to control individual duels—one-v-ones—and track runners. We didn’t do either for the second goal and paid the ultimate penalty.”

Challinor added: “Our support has been amazing—not just today, but over the five years I’ve been here.

“We’ve knocked on the door so many times. There will always be ups and downs, but if you look at where the club has come from over the last 13 or 14 years, we’ve consistently progressed—though that challenge gets harder every year.

“The fans have been incredible. The core support travelled in huge numbers today. We always want to give them a special day, and unfortunately we haven’t managed that.

“It’s back to the drawing board now. We’ll need them behind us again next season, and hopefully we can go one better.”

STOCKPORT RELEASED AND RETAINED LIST:

Following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, Stockport County can now confirm its released and retained list.

Players under contract for the 2026/27 season:

Corey Addai
Andrew Wogan
Ethan Pye
Joseph Olowu
Brad Hills
Arttu Hoskonen
Josh Dacres-Cogley
Tayo Edun
Che Gardner
Jay Mingi
Ryan Rydel
Christy Grogan
Owen Dodgson
Callum Camps
Lewis Fiorini
Ollie Norwood
Jack Diamond
Malik Mothersille
Jayden Fevrier
Owen Moxon
Lewis Bate
Adama Sidibeh
Arian Allen
Benoný Breki Andrésson
Kyle Wootton

Owen Dodgson has now completed a permanent transfer from Burnley, after the obligation to buy clause in his loan deal was triggered during the 2025/26 campaign.

Players released:

The club would like to thank the contributions and efforts of the following players who will depart Edgeley Park on expiry of their contracts:

Ben Hinchliffe
Odin Bailey
Callum Connolly
Max Metcalfe
End of an era:

It’s the end of an era at Edgeley Park, with County’s legendary goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe set to depart the club this summer after an incredible ten years at Edgeley Park

Ben will leave the club following the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to an illustrious Edgeley Park career that spanned ten seasons and 427 appearances. He departs having won three league titles with the club, making him the most decorated player in our long and illustrious history.

We also pay thanks to Odin Bailey for his outstanding service during his three seasons at Edgeley Park. His contribution to our League Two title-winning season – our first EFL Championship in 57 years – will never be forgotten.

Pre-Contract

Jid Okeke has signed a pre-contract agreement with SV Waldhof Mannheim, with the club receiving training compensation.

Loan Players

The club would like to thank the contributions and efforts of the following loan players who return to their parent clubs:

Ben Osborn
Josh Stokes
Louie Barry
Tanto Olaofe
Tyler Onyango
Roman Dixon
Corey Edwards

Here’s the social media reaction with Dave Challinor ‘expected’ to leave Stockport a week on from his side’s League One playoff final defeat…

@BAFCmack: what is going on with football 🤣 window hasn’t opened yet and it’s going mental

@danielsw1997: 😳 surprised by this one can’t lie

@OfficialC98: I’m not tbh, DoF gone. Lost in playoffs 2 years running after throwing cash at it

@danielsw1997: I mean when you put it like that

@DanLove866: I don’t even know how to feel here.

@JakeW2311: Won’t be short of offers. Fantastic job he’s done wherever he’s been

@1908pools: Imagine he won’t be short of options

@scfc_jb: Really hoping this isn’t true to be honest

@durhamchris1983: He’ll have plenty of offers. Cracking bloke and a top manager

@JakeW2311: Won’t be short of offers. Fantastic job he’s done wherever he’s been