Accrington chairman Ilyas Khan says that no-one has done more for the club than John Coleman and that the club will stand by and support whatever decision the Stanley boss makes.

Rochdale were given permission to speak to Coleman last night and, if terms can be agreed between the League One side and Coleman, then it's the 49-year-old's decision whether he moves on or not.

It was believed that the three-and-a-half years left on Coleman's contract could be a stumbling block but Khan says, if Coleman decides to go, then thanks to the 12-year service he has given the club, they won't stand in his way.

"We will obviously be gutted if John leaves but he has been such a wonderful servant to the club that if he wants to go, then we will not stand in his way," said the chairman.

"He is still our manager at the moment and it is John's decision and I hope and pray that John will stay with us. However this is not the first time that another club has shown interest in him and it is only right and proper that we take these things seriously and act professionally. "

As of Monday lunch-time, Khan was not aware of any decisions that Coleman may or may not have made about moving to the League One side.

"The compensation for a manager under contract in the Football League is a relatively well established and easy issue to resolve - its not like a player, for example, and we would do our best to ensure that in the unlikely event that John chooses to move on, we will bend over backwards to do what is right for John and Jimmy Bell.

"I know that John will be his usual considered careful and prudent self, and will act not only in his own interests, but with Accrington’s interests as well. I would expect nothing less from a marvellously professional individual."

Stanley chief executive Rob Heys told the club's official website: "We will always be absolutely fair to John and Jimmy (Bell, assistant manager) who have given their all to our club. It must be stressed that this is a very early point of a process and we will provide supporters with any updates should this develop."