Jimmy McNulty was in an expansive mood when he joined BBC Radio Manchester's Michael Clarke for an in-depth conversation ahead of Stockport County's 2026-27 League One campaign. The interview, published on Wednesday 14 August and available to watch on BBC Sport, gave supporters a rare extended look at the head coach's thinking as the new third-tier season gets under way.

A manager setting his stall out early

Pre-season interviews can often read like corporate press releases, all "hard work" and "great group of lads". McNulty, to his credit, has never been especially prone to that register. The BBC Radio Manchester sit-down was billed as an in-depth chat, and from the platform the club have chosen, it is clear the Edgeley Park hierarchy want the head coach's voice front and centre as the campaign begins.

Stockport already have at least one result on the board from the early rounds of fixtures, with McNulty previously crediting his players after a 3-1 win. How that early form is sustained across a full League One season is the question that will define his tenure.

What the interview signals

The timing matters. Clubs that go out of their way to give a head coach a high-profile platform in August are usually doing so for one of two reasons: either they want to build goodwill with a fan base that may need some patience, or they are confident enough in the direction of travel to put the manager in the shop window. At Stockport, both could plausibly apply.

County have been one of the more ambitious clubs in the third tier in recent seasons. Attendances at Edgeley Park have reflected genuine momentum, and the expectation around the club runs higher than the bare fact of a League One place might suggest to an outsider. McNulty inherits, or has helped build, a supporter base that wants results delivered in a particular style, not just accumulated.

A full season of scrutiny ahead

The 2026-27 League One season is only a handful of games old, but the contours of the promotion race will begin to take shape quickly. Stockport will be among the clubs supporters and analysts look to when assessing who has genuine upward momentum and who is flattered by an early fixture list.

McNulty's willingness to speak at length, publicly and without a script in the room beyond an interviewer's questions, is at least a sign he is comfortable in the role. Whether his football philosophy translates into points across 46 matches is another matter, and one that BBC Radio Manchester will no doubt be revisiting come the spring.

Supporters who missed the original broadcast can watch the full interview by visiting BBC Sport's Stockport County page, or listen via BBC Sounds, which the club are now actively promoting for pre-match, post-match and wider Hatters content.

The broader picture

For a club of Stockport's profile, getting the head coach's message out clearly at the start of a season serves a practical purpose. Expectation management is a real job in football, particularly at clubs where the fanbase remembers better days and is alert to any sign that promises are not being kept.

McNulty appears to understand that. Whether the squad he has assembled backs up the words over the months ahead is what the League One table will, eventually and without sentiment, confirm.

Frequently asked

What did Jimmy McNulty say in his BBC Radio Manchester interview?
McNulty sat down with BBC Radio Manchester's Michael Clarke for an in-depth pre-season conversation ahead of Stockport County's 2026-27 League One campaign. The full interview is available to watch on BBC Sport and to listen to via BBC Sounds.
Where can I watch the Jimmy McNulty Stockport interview?
The interview is available on BBC Sport's Stockport County page. You can also follow Stockport County on BBC Sounds for pre-match, post-match and wider Hatters content throughout the season.
What are Stockport County's chances in League One this season?
Stockport started the 2026-27 League One season with a 3-1 win and are considered among the clubs with genuine ambitions in the third tier. How they sustain that early form across all 46 matches will determine where they finish.