Irish Managers

[SkStu]

Yeah I saw a very cool article on him yesterday where he goes into his Irish roots in depth and how they used to play 7 a side football when they went over to ireland for their summers. Both parents Irish. Mayo I believe.

Anyway he has "signed" for Everton.

[OwlsFan]

Leicester assistant manager Steve Walsh is the centre of a tug of war with Everton at the moment, who have targeted him because of his success in finding some of the team that won the league. But I only realised today that he is a brother of Mickey Walsh, ex Blackpool, Everton and QPR.

Ah, good old "Mice" Walsh as some foreign TV station put up his name in an international many years ago.

I remember him getting what was Goal of the Year in 1975 (only remember the year because I found it on Youtube)

XnKBwYHAbE4

[SkStu]

RIP Joe Kinnear! Wonderful guy and a decent bloody manager when all said and done.

[seanfhear]

RIP Joe Kinnear! Wonderful guy and a decent bloody manager when all said and done.Damn fine manager in his best years. If we had someone as good as him now to manage the Irish team ~ I'd be happy with that.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Damn fine manager in his best years. If we had someone as good as him now to manage the Irish team ~ I'd be happy with that.
Oh yea - the perfect fit for Wimbledon at the time.

[Eirambler]

Mark Kennedy about to be sacked by Swindon. We seem to be as bad as producing managers as we are at producing left backs.

[Acornvilla]

Jim Goodwin has Dundee United back in the SPL and sitting 4th, in some better news, looked like his career was going a bit backwards after the wheels fell off at Aberdeen.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Mark Kennedy about to be sacked by Swindon. We seem to be as bad as producing managers as we are at producing left backs.
Kennedy is as clueless as a manager as he was a player - bundles of talent, no idea how to use it.

[seanfhear]

Kennedy is as clueless as a manager as he was a player - bundles of talent, no idea how to use it.
He certainly made poor use of the natural talents he has as a player anyways.

[elatedscum]

On Irish managers, Stephen Kenny’s title charge ended tonight. Took over in 7th place.

Absolutely wild to think back to August when he was 20 points off the front - that they’d have made that push.

Caught up 16 points on Shels, 17 on Derry and 12 on Rovers.

Whether that means the quality of management in LOI is so poor that he can swan in and transform a team, almost take them to Europe and almost win the league from a huge deficit. Or alternatively, he’s a really good manager where it didn’t work out with Ireland for who knows what reason.

[Acornvilla]

Working day to day, vs for short windows sporadically, it's practically a different job would be one takeaway I have, much easier to build something with a consistent group week on week. The run in Europe especially was very impressive. Pat's have won 9 of their last 10 league games, with a LSC cup victory thrown in there too. If they beat Sligo on the final day they'll have beaten every team in the league consecutively, and if there were another few rounds to go, it'd have been their title.

Duff has made comments recently about hating international coaching too, club work seems to suit him and his mindset. Shels are a relatively limited team, especially since losing Molloy and Jarvis, but he's built something very special there in a short number of years.

Meanwhile with Bradley, I've always had some doubts about him in Europe, but so far so good for Rovers really, they might still win the league too. The gulf between Rovers and Larne in Europe during the week was far wider than I expected. His record domestically is of course excellent, they've struggled a bit this year, and had a lot of injuries, but have been unbeaten for a while now except for losing to Pat's.

Higgins at Derry is the one there has to be some questions about, the league was there for them and they couldn't do it.

[Eirambler]

Whether that means the quality of management in LOI is so poor that he can swan in and transform a team, almost take them to Europe and almost win the league from a huge deficit. Or alternatively, he’s a really good manager where it didn’t work out with Ireland for who knows what reason.

I posted at the time he took the Pats job that it wasn't going to look great for other managers in the league if he did well. Especially as a couple of them were sniping at the FAI in the media at the time for not being considered. Thankfully they were left to their sniping.

Maybe even not such a good look for the league as a whole. After all what does it say if the worst permanent manager in the history of the Ireland team goes straight back to the league and is a standout again straight away at that level?

Of course it's a bit more nuanced than that in reality. Kenny was (to be honest somewhat stupidly) trying to completely re-engineer the way the Ireland team plays. But, since we didn't have the players to play that way successfully at that level, that was his first mistake and he only compounded it from there by refusing to change his approach regardless of how obviously unsuitable it was. He is helped at club level in the League of Ireland by having more time to work with his players - and of course also by the lower standard across the league.

But the bottom line for the likes of Bradley, Higgins and Duff is that, if the likes of Gus Poyet were able to school Kenny to that extent, how is it that they can't do likewise?

[texidub]

I think another factor is that Kenny knows the other LoI teams inside out, like down to what the players like to eat for breakfast level. That's an entirely different prospect from int football.

[Acornvilla]

Pat's also made a couple of key signings, while another couple of critical players returned from long term injuries, the team they have now, is much stronger and coherent than the starting xi Kenny inherited. It's a combination of good coaching/man management, good recruitment and those players returning, all building momentum, they'll be a force next year and I'm glad they'll likely be in Europe next year, the league needs a team like that helping to drive standards. It'll push the other coaches too.

[CraftyToePoke]

I posted at the time he took the Pats job that it wasn't going to look great for other managers in the league if he did well.

Did you now ? ;)

You also posted this early in his Pats time when his thread was scarcely active any longer ;


Carrying his international form back into club football it seems. Getting smashed by a side who have just been knocked out of Europe by a team from Gibraltar who are in pre-season is very Stephen Kenny somehow. Will be interesting to see how much rope Pats give him - when things go wrong for Kenny's teams (as they quite often do), they tend to go very badly wrong.

I remember sympathising with you as I read it for the level of psychological scarring Kenny must have left on you to feel the need to post it and equally not to consider it may age quite badly. Which it looks to be doing.

[Eirambler]

If I remember rightly my line of thought at the time was that, given how badly schooled he was by relatively average managers in international football, surely domestic league managers in Ireland will have taken note of how to outmanoeuvre his teams - surely they're at least capable of that? Hands up, it looks like I was wrong. Based on the evidence so far even that is beyond them.

[Acornvilla]

Do you watch the league?

He's not the Ireland manager anymore, you can let it go. Maybe Kenny learned something from his time at international football too? He's failed many times in his career and every time so far, come back and done better again, people are capable of growth, that take on him and the other coaches is overly simplistic.

The Rovers news regards getting funding for the academy is huge, an opportunity to create more pathways for coaches as well as improving contact time for underage players, hopefully some more clubs will be capable of following suit, there's decent opportunities in Ireland now to get in to coaching, but it is still extremely limited compared to elsewhere.

[Fixer82]

What I like about Duff is he seems to have created a bit of a siege mentality and has the personality to be forceful if needed.
I imagine the players look up to him. His playing career also makes him well respected I imagine.

Would love to see how he gets on in England. He’s done a great job with Shels

[Acornvilla]

As far as he's said himself, he's at Shels for the long haul, not particularly interested in international management, wants his kids to grow up here, he'll honestly do far more good for Irish football where he is in any case, he's been a wonderful addition, I wish more of our stars followed his example.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Duff reminds me of a typical ra-ra GAA manager - but the guy has little tactical nous. I get the impression he is not the smartest guy to ever play the game. I could see him getting badly exposed if he was given a bigger job. Kenny's ceiling is LOI and I suspect that Duff's is the same.

[Acornvilla]

Was he not promoted within the Celtic staff because Rogers thought he was very good before he choose to move home? I'm not sure there's been much negative said about his coaching ability. Shels have the 4th/5th biggest budget and he has them sitting 1st, they've grown year on year with a limited group. Maybe Joey is the brains, I could see him becoming a manager in his own right at some stage.

I think most of the stuff he says in interviews is to get the rise out of people and it is wild to me how effective it is :D

[Razors left peg]

Duff reminds me of a typical ra-ra GAA manager - but the guy has little tactical nous. I get the impression he is not the smartest guy to ever play the game. I could see him getting badly exposed if he was given a bigger job. Kenny's ceiling is LOI and I suspect that Duff's is the same.

He has enough tactical nous to have Shels competing with the likes of Derry and Shams on a much smaller budget. The ra-ra stuff might work for one off cup games or something, but to have them where are going into the final game of the season is very impressive and dismissing his tactical abilities is utter nonsense

[Acornvilla]

Duffer got it done, even watching the match tonight, couldn't help but think Derry had a far stronger group of players, but Shels did what they do and found a way to win, there's a lot to be said for a coach that can get that out of any group.

[Fixer82]

He’s done an incredible job. Let’s see how he gets on in Europe

[John83]

I just look at him as someone who learned management from Mourinho. Dour football, abrasive in the media to draw attention onto himself (and usually off the players), seige mentality. I don't think it's comparable with a simple motivator at all. I think it's very deliberate. It's not absolutely current tactics any more, but tactics are only a small part of winning.

[Eirambler]

As far as he's said himself, he's at Shels for the long haul, not particularly interested in international management, wants his kids to grow up here, he'll honestly do far more good for Irish football where he is in any case, he's been a wonderful addition, I wish more of our stars followed his example.

In fairness he wasn't the only one that "wasn't interested in international management" once it became clear they weren't in the running for the international manager's job. Wouldn't believe a word of it.

Fair play to him winning the league all the same. Will be interesting to see how he manages the balance of domestic and European football next year.

[Jolly Red Giant]

He has enough tactical nous to have Shels competing with the likes of Derry and Shams on a much smaller budget. The ra-ra stuff might work for one off cup games or something, but to have them where are going into the final game of the season is very impressive and dismissing his tactical abilities is utter nonsense
The guy deserves credit for getting the better of Derry and Rovers - but they helped a lot by stumbling at every opportunity. Derry won one of their last six games. I still don't rate him and I think he will be found out over time - if he was at a higher level.

[Acornvilla]

He more or less said he hated coaching with Ireland a few months ago fwiw.

Shels did alright in Europe this season, 1 win, 2 draws, 1 defeat, but expectations were low and it was only 4 matches. Form fell apart then, but that more so coincided with losing their 2 best players so I doubt it was an issue with Europe. They might only get 4 matches next season as well. Won't be seeded in CL Q1 so could get a terrible draw, with that you drop straight in to Europa Conference League Q2. Winning CL Q1 is huge.

I've said this elsewhere in the forum but it's probably relevant here


I've been saying all year that teams are less dominant and have dropped so many points because the lower/mid pack are strong, there's been far less easy points to pick up, where teams could rotate or have an off day and still scrape results and I stand by that. It was an outstanding end to the season, Pat's, Rovers and Shels all delivered in the last month when they needed to, only Derry really let themselves down.

There's a lot to look forward to in 2025, but I think on balance it was good for the league to have a new winner, a lot of teams have scope to improve next season, Shels will have to do something special to retain the title.

Also probably worth nothing that if Rovers win on Thursday they've very likely qualified out of the league stage of the conference league, which will be a big milestone for them and by extension the league. It's very easy to craft a narrative about the quality of teams depending on individual whims. They'll be in the conference league qualifying next year, but with a pretty strong co efficient so will likely be seeded for the first 3 rounds anyway.

[Eirambler]

Alan Sheehan linked with the Coventry City job. He's currently the number 2 at Swansea.

[Acornvilla]

The Rovers win last night means they're very likely to be through to the knockout round, some very tough matches ahead, but a big result, were a much better team than TNS, 2-1, made it look tighter than it was, but tbf to TNS they also seemed a decent step up from Larne. Interesting to compare some clubs from nearby leagues in quick succession. Bradley has done pretty well to rescue their season in the last few months, that's 9 wins in the last 12, only loss being to St. Pats, draws away to Derry and home to APOEL, managed Europe well, will be interesting to see how they cope with the big gaps in between matches now, were very lucky they got the two most winnable games while still in season.

[tetsujin1979]

Gary Dicker taking over at Crown Legacy in the US
https://www.charlottefootballclub.com/clfc/news/crown-legacy-fc-appoints-gary-dicker-as-clubs-next-head-coach

[Acornvilla]

Another big result for Bradley last night, rode their luck in the first half, game should have been done, but they reacted very well and the 2nd half was a really good contest. Officially through to the knockout rounds now.

[CraftyToePoke]

Brian Barry Murphy joins Ruud Van Nistelrooy as second in command at Leicester City who have just lost 0.3 at home to Wolves & the sky is falling down in those parts over it.

https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41542606.html

[Acornvilla]

Jim Goodwin remarkably has Dundee United sitting in 3rd in the SPL now, good to see he hasn't let the Aberdeen thing derail his career.

[Stuttgart88]

Just shows being the right man at the right club at the right time all need to align. I think Goodwin is putting himself into the mix for next Irish manager's job too at this stage.

When Stephen Bradley was rumoured to be on Millwall's list, I asked a pal who works in football finance what Bradley's package vs. Goodwin's Dundee United package would be because I thought he'd be a great candidate to replace him. The answer was that he felt their contracts would be comparable, especially after Rovers' European run. Anyone here got a view?

[Eirambler]

Could well have been, at least until recently. Goodwin's stock was low when Dundee United took him on. However he signed a new contract recently and likely banked a nice pay rise. But it's all relative at the same time, there isn't massive money in Scotland outside of the big teams.

[SkStu]

Alan Sheehan looking likely to be appointed Swansea's next head coach after a good run as caretaker. 23 points out of 33 available in his spell in charge, including 5 straight wins in the last 5 games. Only 38 too - hopefully one to keep an eye on. Great to see us with someone managing at a decent level again. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx20d2e7r56o

[pixiehead]

Noel Hunt doing well

[CraftyToePoke]

Way under the radar in Ireland, I appreciate but Buxton have made the play offs in National League North. They got there on the last day & on goal difference & are managed by ex 21s player John McGrath from Limerick. Ex Villa guy, couple of first team apps & then a decent lower league career, club captain through two promotions at Burton Albion the highlight probably.

He started management at Mickelover Sports, even further down the pyramid, in the semi pro game & got them promoted. Particularly of note were Mickelover players moving to Derby / Coventry & Sheffield United during his time there, so the coaching & development side must have been decent under him.

He did enough to move into the pro game, as Buxton are running full time or very close to, and after getting into NLN two seasons previous and finishing mid table twice, they brought him in last summer & he's got them into the play offs in his first season. They play ex league club reborn, Chester tomorrow, biggest game in the club’s recent history by some margin.

I guess the next hurdle is doing enough there to get a league job, and unlikely as that is, one Martin O'Neill did start at Grantham Town / Shepshed & Wycombe so you never know.

[Stuttgart88]

Has Dean Brennan of Barnet been mentioned here? Barnet just won the National League and will be playing League 2 next season.

Incredible CV. AI couldn't have generated a more varied "journeyman" CV, and still only 44.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Brennan

[SkStu]

Alan Sheehan looking likely to be appointed Swansea's next head coach after a good run as caretaker. 23 points out of 33 available in his spell in charge, including 5 straight wins in the last 5 games. Only 38 too - hopefully one to keep an eye on. Great to see us with someone managing at a decent level again. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cx20d2e7r56o

confirmed 3 year deal for Sheehan

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cr4n9dx7gk0o

[Eirambler]

Looking like another Irish manager for a Welsh club - BBM about to get the Cardiff job. Hopefully it goes better than his last managerial outing in League 1.

[liamoo11]

Looking like another Irish manager for a Welsh club - BBM about to get the Cardiff job. Hopefully it goes better than his last managerial outing in League 1.

Did he not just give that Rochdale job up to take the man city job?

[Eirambler]

Only after he got them relegated from League 1.

He had some decent players relative to that level to pick from too - Gavin Bazunu, Eoghan O'Connell, Conor Shaughnessy, Ollie Rathbone - so they probably should have had enough to stay up.

[SkStu]

Keith Andrews leads the running for the Brentford job...... might have to walk back some of my comments on the Kelleher thread...

[liamoo11]

Keith Andrews leads the running for the Brentford job...... might have to walk back some of my comments on the Kelleher thread...

I wonder would he bring Stephen Kenny in to the setup if he got the Brentford job? They seemed to work well together.

[Diggs246]

I wonder would he bring Stephen Kenny in to the setup if he got the Brentford job? They seemed to work well together.


This is a gag right?!

I feel incredibly sorry for Brentford, what are they thinking

[seanfhear]

This is a gag right?!

I feel incredibly sorry for Brentford, what are they thinkingWhat if they win the league like Leicester ?

What if he actually does a good job ?

I wonder, was Keith Andrews a big influence in Brentford going in for Kelleher ?

[Diggs246]

What if they win the league like Leicester ?

What if he actually does a good job ?

I wonder, was Keith Andrews a big influence in Brentford going in for Kelleher ?


I will be the first to stand corrected if that's happens

but as we are not on fantasy island, it is extraordinarily unlikely

[seanfhear]

I will be the first to stand corrected if that's happens

but as we are not on fantasy island, it is extraordinarily unlikelyUnlikely, but if he gets the job we should all be wishing him the very best, not least because Collins and Kelleher are playing for Brentford.