Ex-Liverpool defender Gary Ablett is the new manager at Stockport County, in succession to Jim Gannon.

Gannon was made redundant in May after the Hatters went into administration and he then made the move to SPL side Motherwell.

43-year-old Ablett, who made more than 100 first-team appearances for the Reds before going on to play for Everton and Birmingham City, had been working as Liverpool's reserve team manager until leaving the post in May.

Since turning to coaching, he has taken charge of Everton's Under 17s side and has coached in their Youth Academy, before moving across the park to become a coach at Anfield.

The move ends speculation linking Celtic's Neil Lennon with the job.

It is thought that Stockport turned to Ablett after the former Northern Ireland midfielder Lennon turned down the post.

Jim Melrose, who is heading a consortium which is on the brink of completing a takeover of the Edgeley Park club, said: "After a lengthy process I am delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Ablett as the new manager of Stockport County.

"Gary has a fantastic pedigree, having enjoyed a career at the very highest level and he has a big reputation for the quality of his coaching at Liverpool and Everton over the last few years."