Lee Bell says he is "really proud" to have managed Crewe Alexandra for three years, after hitting the impressive milestone in November 2025.

The 42-year-old was appointed Interim Manager on November 4, 2022, after Alex Morris stepped down, with Bell being named Crewe's permanent boss that December following a final shortlist of 12.

Bell had devoted over two decades to the club as a player and coach, emerging as the "outstanding candidate" following a series of interviews.

Since then, Bell has taken charge of 159 competitive matches for Crewe, including a Wembley play-off final in 2024.

Lee Bell is now the 17th-longest-serving manager in England's top four divisions (Photo: Crewe Alexandra).

The Alsager-born gaffer is now the 17th-longest-serving manager in England's top four divisions, with his sights on a 60th victory against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday 8 November.

Bell said: "I am really proud of getting to this milestone. It is a real honour to be manager of this football club.

"Everyone knows how I feel about the club.

"As a group of staff and players, we will keep striving to get to where we think we can get to, and to continue to improve the club as a whole.

"It is more than just a job to me, with the emotion that goes into it, and my connection to the club, and it is the same for a lot of the staff."

Lee Bell made 148 appearances for Crewe across two stints, playing a part in the Alex's 2002/03 promotion campaign and the 2012 play-off triumph (Photo: Sky Sports).

Bell, who made a total of 148 appearances for the Alex across two stints, played a part in Crewe's 2002/03 promotion campaign to the Championship and the 2012 League Two play-off triumph.

Now, Bell has his sights on taking Crewe back to League One in his third full season.

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