91Èȱ¬

Keith Hill is to remain as manager of Rochdale after signing a three-year contract with the League Two club.

The 43-year-old returned for a second spell in charge in January.

Hill initially agreed to stay until the end of the season, but revealed to 91Èȱ¬ Late Kick Off North West on Sunday that he was close to signing a new deal.

"You don't realise what you've got until it's gone and that's certainly the case with Keith," chairman Chris Dunphy told the

"In the period of time that he has been back at the club we have all seen a change in the way that the team plays football.

"Keith's hard work and commitment is now bearing fruit with positive results on the pitch. We're all starting to watch Rochdale with a smile on our faces."

Dale, who lie 15th in the table, have taken 22 points from the 16 games since Hill replaced John Coleman.

During his first spell at Spotland, Hill led Rochdale into League One in 2010 and then guided them to ninth place the following season, the joint-highest finish in the club's history, before leaving to join Barnsley.

His 18-month reign at Oakwell ended last December and within a month he was back at Rochdale as Coleman's successor.

"I didn't want to be out of the game," Hill told 91Èȱ¬ Late Kick Off prior to signing his new deal. "I didn't like being sat on my settee.

"I got advised maybe not to take the job at Rochdale but I'm really glad I did. It's given me my enthusiasm back and the belief in the players is there.

"We've slowly progressed as each game has gone and I see a really good core of young players to develop the future for Rochdale, so I'm pleased. I'm really ambitious for Rochdale and we will be successful."