After leaving the position of player-manager with Northwich Victoria, Wootton became the manager of Third Division North side Oldham Athletic in June 1947. He oversaw 141 games at Boundary Park. He achieved a 38.28 win percentage but failed to gain the club the promotion to the Second Division they craved. He left Oldham in September 1950 and took up the reins at Halifax Town the following year. He spent just one season with Halifax and left The Shay after leading the "Shaymen" to a 20th-place finish in the Third Division North in 1951–52.
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[4]