PAUL COOK was yesterday confirmed as the new manager of Accrington Stanley, ending a protracted spell of uncertainty regarding the future of the 44- year-old, whose future at Sligo Rovers had been in doubt since he was linked with St Johnstone last October and, subsequently, Derry City.

The move to the League Two side, with whom he has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal, had been the subject of prolonged speculation. Cook was keen to take over at Accrington Stanley, a club he previously played for and one that is close to his home in England, while Sligo were reluctant to let him go, at least without adequate compensation, so close to the start of the new season.

On Friday, Sligo announced that the move was off and that they expected Cook to return over the weekend but Stanley persisted and were finally in a position yesterday morning to confirm that they had got their man.

“It’s with great sadness that I leave Sligo,” said Cook, who won League Cup and two FAI cups during his almost five years at the club. “But all my thoughts now are on trying to maintain the success that Accrington Stanley have enjoyed since I was here as a player.”

Sligo chairman Michael Toolan wished him well and said that the process of finding a replacement would start immediately. “Paul Cook has the distinction of being the most successful manager in the history of Sligo Rovers,” he said. “His achievements will live long in the memory of everybody associated with Rovers and we want to thank him for his outstanding and historic contribution to us.

“The process of appointing a manager to build on the progress of the club starts now and with a view to challenging for major honours in 2012, our intentions and ambitions remain as high as ever.

“We have a large and talented squad already assembled and we’re setting our sights on a high-calibre replacement to give ourselves the best platform possible.”