Manager merry-go-round.

[horton]

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/sport/football/derry-city/collins-gets-city-job-1-5691480

Supposedly he was our third choice aswell. I wonder if Hutton is being groomed to take over next year?

[A face]

http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/sport/football/derry-city/collins-gets-city-job-1-5691480

Supposedly he was our third choice aswell. I wonder if Hutton is being groomed to take over next year?

I'm stunned, i cant believe Derry have considered him not to mind appoint him. At least they go into this eyes wide open and they know what to expect. As soon as he stops answering the phone start looking elsewhere, you cant afford to invest any sort of faith in the guy on that side of things. One year deal is a god sent

[brendy_éire]

I'm stunned, i cant believe Derry have considered him not to mind appoint him.

Really? He's won the league before, did well with Monaghan and Athlone. It's only a year contract too (which, IMO, should be the norm for players and management these days). I subscribe to Horton's view that Pizza is being groomed.

[Fivesilver]

You'd swear Roddy had destroyed every club he came in contact with. The guy has had some very good results over the years. If you want him to kiss your crest and tell you he'll love you forever you'll probably get your heart broken. But it wouldn't surprise me if Derry do better in 2014, which has to be the immediate goal.

[A face]

You'd swear Roddy had destroyed every club he came in contact with. The guy has had some very good results over the years. If you want him to kiss your crest and tell you he'll love you forever you'll probably get your heart broken. But it wouldn't surprise me if Derry do better in 2014, which has to be the immediate goal.

For the record, just read anything i have commented on him, nothing suggests he is bad on the football end of things; selection, coaching, identifying players and bring them in, motivation, man management, even tactics i couldn't fault him ..... The guy would start a fight in an empty room, and its normally with his employers, and it normally involves him leaving them high and dry and then being no where to be found. I have also said any time i have met the guy he was sound, good craic and a real 'wears his heart on his sleeve' type fella, but i just would not have him as a manager at any club.

In this case, he might do well as a stop gap, for a year, grooming Hutton, perfect .... but no club will ever build their long term plans with Roddy in the picture, because its not viable.

[SwanVsDalton]

Only a one year deal. Shocking lack of faith from the Derry board in their new management team.

Gingerly dipping their toe in the pool, hoping not to be sharked. Collins is a mercenary - maybe all parties are just being honest in saying this guy may not be hanging around.

Personally I wouldn't have him anywhere near the club since he pretty much arrives in a clown car with a circus big top attached to the back. However he does get team's playing a bit and, God knows, I'd swap almost anything to see a half-decent home performance at this stage.

Will also be hilarious to see how Collins goes down with some of Derry's, ahem, personalities.

[nigel-harps1954]

So, is he moving up then or commuting?

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

So, is he moving up then or commuting?

KeepersBall is going to continue driving him around

[prince20]

KeepersBall is going to continue driving him around

Is there a mcdonalds up there that he can wait in when Roddy goes training????

[galwayhoop]

KeepersBall is going to continue driving him around

Haha. Classic

[cestlavie]

Kenny Shiels had been first choice for DCFC but he is still hoping for bigger job. One thing is certain it wont be quite around muckerville. Wonder if Hutton will come in for 1 or 2 of the Harps squad?

[lollymcd]

No offence to Roddy but I think I'd have preferred Devine!

[avvenalaf]

This appointment is possibly the greatest threat ever to the Peace Process.

[PartySaint]

I wonder will Roddy claim he was the first one to bring Cromwell and the boys over from England.

[Magicme]

Delighted with that. As for the lad saying he fears for us in the long term.... Everyone said that when we appointed Roddy. We didnt give in to hisd demands. I wouldnt worry too much. Heard a few names Cooke wants to bring with him. Hopefully some signed soon enough.

I didnt. I said that Roddy would be great for Athlone. I dont hold the same hope with Cooke. Nothing bitchy or malicious about it, just think its a step backwards.

[White Horse]

Interesting interview with Roddy on Newstalk.

He lambasted Robbie Horgan for his "lack of loyalty" to Mick Cooke and also spoke about being interviewed for the Sligo job.

[SeanDrog]

Well given keeperball was/is extremely pro Cooke (to put it mildly) given his various forum posts and his declaration of being close to roddy (if he is to be believed regarding car trips etc) then it's no surprise what roddys view is or where it's come from (IMO )

[MiniMourinho]

Interesting interview with Roddy on Newstalk.

He lambasted Robbie Horgan for his "lack of loyalty" to Mick Cooke and also spoke about being interviewed for the Sligo job.

Same lambasting his mate Keepersball has been churning out! Roddy is Roddy, if you pay him attention he won't go away!

[wonder88]

Roddy did a good job at Athlone I think. He also did well at Bohs and Monaghan. I was at the Mervue v Athlone game in September and it was clear that his team were better coached/set up tactically than the home side. Others here may know better, but I don't think that his player budget was much bigger than what was available at Longford. Agree that a one year contract should be the norm in the LoI, unless you have an exceptional young player. I think he will be way more successful than Pat Fenlon was at Derry and you can be sure the soccer will be better to watch anyway.

[KeepersBall]

Okay. Let's get this out in the open.
I'm Gerry Hand a journalist who also promotes after dinner speakers and Q&A sessions, Roddy amongst them. I have no interest financial or otherwise in what Roddy does football wise, so it did not matter to me where he ended up as manager. I have been a Drogheda fan since 1967, and like most right thinking football fans, Roddy included, I am sickened by what Robbie Horgan did to Cooke, and by how the board at Drogheda bought into Horgans backstabbing.

If anybody knows Roddy they would know that whatever else his faults he makes his own mind up on something and voices his own opinion, so to suggest that I had any influence on what he said is about as sensible as erm, well as erm sacking Mick Cooke. Mini Mourinho is a Drogs board member, I know who he is but will allow him the good grace to identify himself publicly the same as I have, Sean Drog I haven't a clue who he is, but it seems clear he is a board lackey. Now tonight Mickey Collins and Alan McCaul have been sacked as managers of Athlone Town 19s despite the side being fourth in the table in their first season up in the Elite division.

A smokescreen of the team not selling enough lotto tickets was used, but the real reason is that the chairmans son had been dropped for the last two games. So don't for one moment think Roddy caused problems at Athlone, he didn't, he wanted to stay there. My overall point is this, without being big headed, I called it right at Drogheda in terms of who would be the new manager, and the reasons as to why Cooke left, along with others I knew Cooke would be in at Athlone, and that Roddy would get Derry, where I predict he will win the league either this season or next.

To sum up Sean Drog says I am pro Cooke, and he's correct, but then I am in line with the vast majority of Drogs fans in that. Robbie Horgan has re signed three players Mick Daly who is his mate and admitted as much on twitter, Shane Grimes who was morally obliged to stay after the club backed him during a suspension served for a failed drugs test and Fabio who, while I would never knock him, it has to be said has his future behind him. He also brought in Dermot O'Neill as goalkeeping coach, an appointment which I have no quibble with apart from saying that as a former goalkeeper himself, and a very good one at that, Robbie could have spent the money being paid to O'Neill elsewhere and coached the 'keepers himself, so I don't need to attack him, he's doing a fine job on bringing himself down so far.

I could be wrong but I suspect one of two things.

Either the Drogs board want the club in division one where costs are less or players are reluctant to trust somebody who has proved he cannot be trusted.
As a Drogs supporter I genuinely hope Robbie proves me wrong, but I don't expect him too, the same as I don't expect him to be manager come next June. Straight defeats early doors and panic buttons will be pushed.

[MiniMourinho]

Okay. Let's get this out in the open.
I'm Gerry Hand a journalist who also promotes after dinner speakers and Q&A sessions, Roddy amongst them. I have no interest financial or otherwise in what Roddy does football wise, so it did not matter to me where he ended up as manager. I have been a Drogheda fan since 1967, and like most right thinking football fans, Roddy included, I am sickened by what Robbie Horgan did to Cooke, and by how the board at Drogheda bought into Horgans backstabbing.

If anybody knows Roddy they would know that whatever else his faults he makes his own mind up on something and voices his own opinion, so to suggest that I had any influence on what he said is about as sensible as erm, well as erm sacking Mick Cooke. Mini Mourinho is a Drogs board member, I know who he is but will allow him the good grace to identify himself publicly the same as I have, Sean Drog I haven't a clue who he is, but it seems clear he is a board lackey. Now tonight Mickey Collins and Alan McCaul have been sacked as managers of Athlone Town 19s despite the side being fourth in the table in their first season up in the Elite division.

A smokescreen of the team not selling enough lotto tickets was used, but the real reason is that the chairmans son had been dropped for the last two games. So don't for one moment think Roddy caused problems at Athlone, he didn't, he wanted to stay there. My overall point is this, without being big headed, I called it right at Drogheda in terms of who would be the new manager, and the reasons as to why Cooke left, along with others I knew Cooke would be in at Athlone, and that Roddy would get Derry, where I predict he will win the league either this season or next.

To sum up Sean Drog says I am pro Cooke, and he's correct, but then I am in line with the vast majority of Drogs fans in that. Robbie Horgan has re signed three players Mick Daly who is his mate and admitted as much on twitter, Shane Grimes who was morally obliged to stay after the club backed him during a suspension served for a failed drugs test and Fabio who, while I would never knock him, it has to be said has his future behind him. He also brought in Dermot O'Neill as goalkeeping coach, an appointment which I have no quibble with apart from saying that as a former goalkeeper himself, and a very good one at that, Robbie could have spent the money being paid to O'Neill elsewhere and coached the 'keepers himself, so I don't need to attack him, he's doing a fine job on bringing himself down so far.

I could be wrong but I suspect one of two things.

Either the Drogs board want the club in division one where costs are less or players are reluctant to trust somebody who has proved he cannot be trusted.
As a Drogs supporter I genuinely hope Robbie proves me wrong, but I don't expect him too, the same as I don't expect him to be manager come next June. Straight defeats early doors and panic buttons will be pushed..

Have you considered after-dinner speaking yourself?

Look Gerry, you claim to know who i am, but despite your glowing CV above i havent got the faintest idea who you are. I would suggest you stop accusing everyone who is anti-Mick Cooke of being board members. Its desperate.

Your are right however about the goalkeeping coach however. Robbie is a goalkeeper, he was also the first team coach last year. So really in 2014 he should be goalkeeping coach, first team coach and manager. Surely he could also play in goals too!!

You are living in the clouds.

[SeanDrog]

ROFL a board lackey - maybe I'm just a supporter but hey I suppose in your world if I'm not with you I must be against you.

Rofl ...

Maybe I'm the chairman ? Or maybe I'm the guy watching you right now from across the road lol

Seriously I put one and one together regarding roddys interview and your posts and you are saying instead of getting two I got 235 lol so be it. My bad.

But thanks for making me smile today :)

[Ash]

Interesting post.



...
A smokescreen of the team not selling enough lotto tickets was used, but the real reason is that the chairmans son had been dropped for the last two games....

Just wondering if the young lad was dropped for the last 2 games, how many games had he played this season? Granted I've only seen 2 of the 19s games this year but I didn't think he got a start in any of the 10 games so far?

Surprised if the lads did get the chop as they proved themselves last year with an unbeaten season to be champions and seemed to be doing Ok after making the step up to the Elite.

[KeepersBall]

True they were doing okay, but gone they are.

[ATFC-1887]

Confirmed on Athlone Town Fans page by Mickey Collins wife this morning. She indeed said they got the sack, and not resigned as someone suggested.

[Dodge]

A smokescreen of the team not selling enough lotto tickets was used, but the real reason is that the chairmans son had been dropped for the last two games

Luckily for Roddy, he'd never ever contemplate signing his son twice and playing him ahead of others

Seriously though, you're being ridiculously harsh on Horgan. He's been in the job 3/4 days and signed 3 players and a backroom team. There's clubs who haven't even done that yet.

On the view of Roddy that Horgan stabbed Mick Cooke in the back, that's a widely held view around the league among players and coaching staff. Last summer it was rumoured to be happening

[avvenalaf]

where I predict he will win the league either this season or next.

You were going grand up to that.

[lollymcd]

Look.... there's not point getting all your panties in a bunch, what's done is done, get over it... time to move on! Only results will tell the truth.

[Acer]

Look.... there's not point getting all your panties in a bunch, what's done is done, get over it... time to move on! Only results will tell the truth.

Hopefully we'll win more than 8 league games next season.
If Robbie keeps going the way he is with signings, we'll be fine.

[nigel-harps1954]

I too got a right chuckle out of Roderick winning the league with Derry. Thanks for that.

[KeepersBall]

Luckily for Roddy, he'd never ever contemplate signing his son twice and playing him ahead of others

Seriously though, you're being ridiculously harsh on Horgan. He's been in the job 3/4 days and signed 3 players and a backroom team. There's clubs who haven't even done that yet.

On the view of Roddy that Horgan stabbed Mick Cooke in the back, that's a widely held view around the league among players and coaching staff. Last summer it was rumoured to be happening

It WAS happening that far back. I was closer to that that people on here might have known, I spent a few weeks up at the training in Mosney and it was already happening back then.

[lollymcd]

Hopefully we'll win more than 8 league games next season.
If Robbie keeps going the way he is with signings, we'll be fine.


I'd certainly be willing to wait and see how he does rather than damn him before he even begins! :)

[NeverFeltBetter]

Roddy has apparently just signed his son to the club (again). This would be the third time.

[SeanDrog]

I'd certainly be willing to wait and see how he does rather than damn him before he even begins! :)

You sir are clearly a board lackey :)

[gufcfan]

People have their problems with Roddy, but tarring him with the same brush as Seanie Connor is a bit cruel.

I'd say Roddy, despite his faults, does his best.

[A face]

People have their problems with Roddy, but tarring him with the same brush as Seanie Connor is a bit cruel.

I'd say Roddy, despite his faults, does his best.

I hear ya, but he is leaving himself wide open for it though. And man i hoped he'd stay with Athlone and make a good hand of it, steady the ship, even get them mid table and THEN jump ship. He made a pigs ear of it this way in my opinion, i'm just surprised Derry went for him.

[Charlie Darwin]

Would be interesting to see Roddy storm to the title this season, demand a Champions League budget from Derry, claim he was sacked and then take over at Real Madrid.

[galwayhoop]

I was closer to that that people on here might have known, I spent a few weeks up at the training in Mosney

Were you chauffeuring Mick Cooke too??

[Fivesilver]

Very unfair the way everyone is making these outrageous assumptions about KeepersBall driving Roddy around based on one statement about waiting in the car. How do you know he wasn't in the passenger seat, reading the map?

[Mr A]

Or in the boot, struggling to get out?

[Mr A]

Mod note:

Folks: revealing your own identity here is obviously fine- but revealing those of others, is not cool. Please don't do that. I'm looking at you KeepersBall.

[Dalymountrower]

Would be interesting to see Roddy storm to the title this season, demand a Champions League budget from Derry, claim he was sacked and then take over at Real Madrid.

Derry looked really good for the first half dozen games last season, bettered only by Sligo at that stage. They were muck toward the end of the season though. Lots of skillful players without motivation or confidence.
If Roddy and Pizza don`t come to blows I wouldnt be surprised if Derry do win the league in 2014. I also wouldn`t`be surprised if Roddy then announced tha he was turning down the Real job offer as he is first and foremost a Catalan and signing for Real would be a betrayal.

[thischarmingman]

Mod note:

Folks: revealing your own identity here is obviously fine
Finally.

Mr A, do you remember when you were in Ballybofey, at the monastery, there was an old shepherd with whom you used to talk? I was one of his sheep!

[Trainee]

Steve Staunton turned down Galway FC as per tomorrow's city Tribune

[A face]

Steve Staunton turned down Galway FC as per tomorrow's city Tribune

Phew, gotta away with that one so. We're bad enough without having to suffer him as well .... has he even done his badges yet?

[Longfordian]

Steve Staunton turned down Galway FC as per tomorrow's city Tribune

This type of thing would set off alarm bells for me. What are they doing approaching Staunton? It's not like he has a track record of success anywhere. If he applied for the job fair enough interview the man but for a club that should be looking to grow itself sensibly trying to "head hunt" the likes of Staunton isn't a great start. The likes of John Glynn would be an ideal candidate in my opinion. He knows the football scene in Galway, knows the league and would be popular with supporters.

[Mr A]

That is pretty incredible. Approaching Staunton to be manager is roughly the equivalent of approaching Nick Leeson and asking him to have another go at running the club.

[gufcfan]

That is pretty incredible. Approaching Staunton to be manager is roughly the equivalent of approaching Nick Leeson and asking him to have another go at running the club.

I'm don't know any more than anyone here about it and I haven't gone looking for info, but this seems like another reason to believe it is heading for the same demise as Galway United, sooner or later.

[Patrick Dunne]

The LOI is the ideal starting point for any former Irish international looking to get into management. The likes of Staunton would have been a good candidate if his stint as national team manager had not happened.

Kilbane, Breen, Cunningham, etc are the type of people that should be targets for LOI clubs.

[gufcfan]

A celebrity with no qualifications.

Feel like I've seen that before.