 Murray was dismissed on 6 December after only 45 days in charge, and Collins was again appointed caretaker manager.He took charge of one match, a 4–0 defeat away to Burton Albion on 13 December, before Ronnie Moore was appointed as manager on 16 December, who then appointed Collins as his assistant.Collins took over as caretaker manager on 15 January 2017 after Craig Hignett left the club by mutual consent.