Rochdale are set to open talks with Accrington manager John Coleman, who is interested in the vacancy at Spotland.
Dale have been without a manager since sacking Steve Eyre in December, and six winless games under caretaker boss Chris Beech have left them second bottom of League One, four points from safety.
Coleman has been in charge at Accrington for 13 seasons, making him the third-longest serving manager in English football, but on Monday morning Stanley granted him permission to speak to Rochdale.
Speaking to the League Two club's official website, Accrington chief executive Rob Heys said: "It must be stressed that this is a very early point of a process.
"We will always be absolutely fair to John and Jimmy (Bell, Coleman's assistant), who have given their all to our club."
A statement on Rochdale's official website read: "Rochdale Football Club can confirm that Accrington Stanley have given their permission for Rochdale AFC officials to speak to their manager John Coleman regarding the vacant managerial position at Spotland."
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