Manager merry-go-round.

[nigel-harps1954]

Deserves it's own thread I suppose rather than separating all the new manager talk with clubs.

Athlone Town Facebook page posted this


A deal to bring in a new manager has been agreed a few things to be finalised and an official club statement will confirm all Monday! Keep an eye on ATFC.ie for all the info

[adamd164]

Mick Cooke? He'd be the obvious choice.

Where will Roddy go now - his options are looking a bit thinner than a few weeks ago.

[Mr A]

He looked to be the major favourite at Derry but maybe Athlone's exposure of his BS will give them pause.

[Sam_Heggy]

Roddy taking the Derry job with Perter Hutton and Bugsy Cunningham coming in with him.

Harps to announce Manager next weekend I think.

So that's, Athlone, Derry, Cork, Drogheda, Harps and Galway FC all having new managers for the 2014 season.

Is Bohs or UCD changing manager?? Alot of rumours about Martin Russell going elsewhere floating about.

[micls]

He looked to be the major favourite at Derry but maybe Athlone's exposure of his BS will give them pause.

If a career full of antics didn't give them pause, this hardly will!

[Mr A]

I can't be the only one who saw this thread title and imagined an actual merry go round with loads on managers on it, with Sean Connor and Roddy Collins trying to blag their way past the attendant.

[SkStu]

When I see the words "merry" and "manager" together I immediately think Michael O'Neill.

[Fivesilver]

I can't be the only one who saw this thread title and imagined an actual merry go round with loads on managers on it, with Sean Connor and Roddy Collins trying to blag their way past the attendant.

I had a mental picture of a merry-go-round with LoI managers instead of horses.

[Martinho II]

Roddy taking the Derry job with Perter Hutton and Bugsy Cunningham coming in with him.

Harps to announce Manager next weekend I think.

So that's, Athlone, Derry, Cork, Drogheda, Harps and Galway FC all having new managers for the 2014 season.

Is Bohs or UCD changing manager?? Alot of rumours about Martin Russell going elsewhere floating about.
yep bohs have never replaced Aaron Callaghan after he quit during last season. Owen Heary is enrolling on Fai course early next year and is strong favourite to take the Bohs job. Aaron Callaghan is strong favourite to take UCD job if Martin Russell leaves for another club!

[daithifla]

Strong possibility that Johnny Glynn will be new Athlone manager. Won't blow the budget like other more established managers will. 2moro all maybe revealed.

[Battery Rover]

Mick Cooke confirmed
http://athlonetownfc.ie/mick-cooke-confirmed-as-first-team-manager/

[MiniMourinho]

Best of luck to Athlone. In the short term Mick will do a job. I fear for you in the long term though.

[Nesta99]

I fear for you in the long term though.

Give over!

[White Horse]

Great appointment for Athlone. Expect to see quite a few Drogheda players sign as well.

I wonder will they finish higher up in the table than Drogheda?

[MiniMourinho]

Fair enough, now that its done and dusted, I will give over. It will never be forgotten, but probably time I let the extreme bitterness go!

[White Horse]

Fair enough, now that its done and dusted, I will give over. It will never be forgotten, but probably time I let the extreme bitterness go!

We're football fans, wait until the first Drogheda/Athlone game, it'll all come flooding back ;)

[SeanDrog]

I would have thought Cooke would have been chased by the big clubs (no offense Athlone but you know what I mean ).

He appears to be repeating the same tasks/challenges when he started with Drogheda. I would have thought he would like to go up a level - it looks like a move sideways rather than up.

As for Drogheda players going with him - I'm not so sure - travel distance being a key factor IMO.

[White Horse]

I would have thought he would like to go up a level - it looks like a move sideways rather than up.

You're being unfair on Athlone. They are potentially a big club in LOI terms. If they get gates of 1,500 to 2,000, they willl be able to compete consistently in the top half. The improved road network from Galway and Dublin, means they have a large catchment area for players.

Compare this trajectory with that of Drogheda's and it may not be such a sideways move.

[Neish]

A bit from a local paper on the search for next Harps manager http://donegalnews.com/2013/11/at-least-three-to-be-interviewed-by-finn-harps-again/#sthash.PRcnmEgx.gbpl

[SeanDrog]

I've always liked athlone and agree on the potential comment but I just thought he'd of ended up at a club already with that in place.

[ATFC-1887]

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.

[DUFC4life]

Best of luck to Athlone. In the short term Mick will do a job. I fear for you in the long term though.
It really is getting tedious.
Look closer to home if you want to worry about the long term future of clubs!!

[ATFC-1887]

We're football fans, wait until the first Drogheda/Athlone game, it'll all come flooding back ;)

Its gonna happen....Drogheda vs Athlone first game of the season..

[galwayhoop]

Great appointment Athlone. Expect to see Slingerman (sp?), Fabio and a Brennan or two in blue and black next season.

Of the two clubs I'd definitely fear for Drogs more than Athlone.

As for Athlone being too far away to attract players?? Do they not train in Dublin? They used to before and could well do so again if required. Even if they don't it's less than an hour from Dublin. Drogheda isn't that much closer.

[lollymcd]

Best of luck to Mick Cooke and Athlone. I wont say I'm happy about it but time to move on!

Drogheda have never trained in Dublin to the best of my knowledge. Their main training ground has always been Mosney. I think distance will be an issue for one or two, I'd say better wages would lure them though, is that on the cards? I doubt anyone at Drogheda was earning more than €200.... (that's just a wild guess btw!)

[Acer]

Great appointment Athlone. Expect to see Slingerman (sp?), Fabio and a Brennan or two in blue and black next season.


I'd be surprised if any of those went to Athlone. I think Schlingerman and Alan Byrne are certs to follow though.

[MiniMourinho]

Id say Slingermann will go purely because its much closer to home. Really doubt a Brennan will go to athlone unless athlone are offering crazy money. Rumours that clubs like dundalk have been offering €600+ per week to them. If athlone are offering that kind of money in their first season up id be worried. Fabio is on the record as saying he wants to finish his career at Drogheda. But im sure if money talked that could be changed!

[ATFC-1887]

Heard Schlingerman and Alan Byrne are set to sign with us. Cooke wants the Brennans to come with him. But as you said i dunno if we can afford them. Fabios name was mentioned too.

[MiniMourinho]

Cant see a Brennan moving to Athlone, so Athlone would be needing to offer them serious money to travel.

[White Horse]

Cant see a Brennan moving to Athlone, so Athlone would be needing to offer them serious money to travel.

I can't see them going to Athlone. They'll want to be somewhere commutable from Drogheda. Pats, Dundalk, and Bohs are talking to them.

It wouldn't suprise me if they stayed with Drogheda though.

[optimus]

can owen heary even do he pro course... one of the requirements is that you've had your a licence for a year ..unless the fai fudge it.

[oriel]

I would have thought Cooke would have been chased by the big clubs (no offense Athlone but you know what I mean ).

He appears to be repeating the same tasks/challenges when he started with Drogheda. I would have thought he would like to go up a level - it looks like a move sideways rather than up.

As for Drogheda players going with him - I'm not so sure - travel distance being a key factor IMO.

I think that is a bit unkind to Athlone. He has joined a club who are 'on the up' even had a quick look at this seasons averages, Drogs 817 v Athlone 754, not much in it, especially as Athlone wouldnt have enjoyed large away supports. Travel wont be a problem for players, having a manager they respect will, and some of the Drogs boys might well end up following him.

Good appointment Athlone, this was their best option for having a chance of staying in the PD next season.

[SeanDrog]

Good appointment Athlone, this was their best option for having a chance of staying in the PD next season.

You are actually supporting the point that I am clumsily trying to make .

I just expected Cooke to be chased by a club ready to go for the league - that's all.

[Dodge]

I just expected Cooke to be chased by a club ready to go for the league - that's all.

On what basis?

Even Rovers with their Croly issue would still be looking for more than Mick Cooke I'd imagine. Who else is a contendor? Pats, Sligo, Dundalk all happy with their man.

[White Horse]

I just expected Cooke to be chased by a club ready to go for the league - that's all.

That is a fair point. I thought he would end up at an established premier club too. Perhaps, the circumstances of his departure cast a question mark over him?

[galwayhoop]

I assume you were saying that it's a surprise clubs like Cork or Derry were not after him. They are more established premier division sides (notwithstanding their recent stints at first div level) who conceivably could challenge for honours.

[SeanDrog]

Yep ....

[Dodge]

I assume you were saying that it's a surprise clubs like Cork or Derry were not after him. They are more established premier division sides (notwithstanding their recent stints at first div level) who conceivably could challenge for honours.

Sure they might think they can, but I'm not sure why they'd think Mick Cooke is the man to help them.

He's managed 3 season in the premier division.; 9th, 2nd, 8th.

I'm not saying he isn't a good manager, but he's done nothing to suggest he should be managing a team looking to win the league.

[gufc2000]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24992299

Roddy and Peter Hutton among the leading candidates. It mentions Martin Russell and Gus McPherson too

[Aaron]

Mick Cooke was due up here yesterday for an interview but never bothered his hole turning up or even notifying our board that he wouldnt be showing. our board were at the City Hotel waiting for him yesterday

[Aaron]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24992299

Roddy and Peter Hutton among the leading candidates. It mentions Martin Russell and Gus McPherson too

2 horse race between MacPherson and Collins by all accounts

[SeanDrog]

Mick Cooke was due up here yesterday for an interview but never bothered his hole turning up or even notifying our board that he wouldnt be showing. our board were at the City Hotel waiting for him yesterday

Strange ... You'd of imagined he'd listen to them and athlone before deciding.

[Charlie Darwin]

Mick Cooke was due up here yesterday for an interview but never bothered his hole turning up or even notifying our board that he wouldnt be showing. our board were at the City Hotel waiting for him yesterday
Was Roddy waiting in the car?

[MiniMourinho]

Mick Cooke was due up here yesterday for an interview but never bothered his hole turning up or even notifying our board that he wouldnt be showing. our board were at the City Hotel waiting for him yesterday Blessing in disguise.

[Acer]

Sure they might think they can, but I'm not sure why they'd think Mick Cooke is the man to help them.

He's managed 3 season in the premier division.; 9th, 2nd, 8th.

I'm not saying he isn't a good manager, but he's done nothing to suggest he should be managing a team looking to win the league.

Fair post.

I don't care, nor do I want to comment on the Board v Cooke situation, but Cooke's results were not inspiring and I felt the fallout between the 2 parties covered what was a terrible season for us. The year we finished second was among my favourite years following the Drogs but 2013 was undoubtedly the worst. We won 8 league games all year, playing some of the worst football I've ever seen. We got to 3 cup finals but lost them all. Getting there was an achievement according to some but if you look at it, it wasn't all that great - FAI cup: it took a replay against Harps and a horrible win against 9 man dundalk to get to the final; League cup: a win away to what was a bad Derry side; Setanta cup: lost in a club record 7-1 defeat to Rovers.

I think he'll keep Athlone up but I can't understand the god-like perception that some seem to have of the man. He's an ok football manager.

[Ezeikial]

can owen heary even do he pro course... one of the requirements is that you've had your a licence for a year ..unless the fai fudge it.

The requirement is to have started the pro.course.

According to reports there is a pro course starting early next year/

[Battery Rover]

The requirement is to have started the pro.course.

According to reports there is a pro course starting early next year/

Starts in February

[ATFC-1887]

Roddy just confirmed as Derry manager with Hutton as assistant.

[nigel-harps1954]

Had a good laugh at that one. Derry City Mk3 in a year or two.

[Mr A]

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