So did I. He would be a far better choice than the spoofer who has just been announced.
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Filippo was good if you forget his mental squad rotation policy.
But, he knew football no doubt. It was his first manager job. If he wanted, you could be much better manager now.
The gift that keeps on giving
My own assumption based on the quotes from the owner announcing King is that he was genuinely his preferred choice from the beginning.
It seems that Halpin and/or Gartland were allowed to pursue Long and Halpin was certainly inviting applicants (hence the notification of a deadline for next Wednesday with his contact details). But it seems that when their preferred choice Long became impossible, the owner has put a halt to that process and gone with his option.
The jump only makes sense to me in this scenario, where there were essentially two competing processes and only one was going to win the day.
Honestly allowing that press release to go out just seems bizarre in hindsight. Something's amiss behind the scenes because if they were that close to announcing King as a manager there was absolutely no need to even put it out. Especially if he was the owners preferred choice. Why invite more applications if they are going straight into the bin? Why have a director of football operations and CEO of they are not going to be involved in arguably the biggest football decision to be made at a club? Seems like there's a few different people rowing in different directions. If your a Dundalk fan you have to hope they figure it out before the club goes under.
He previously worked for Dundalk FC, has historical family connections to the club and is from Dundalk Im pretty sure. He has done well in developing his skillset and building his company which has some pretty big clients on the books. All the more bizzare that his efforts as club CEO look undermined at face value. I would say he knew what the reaction would be to King, mayve convinced the owner that his judgemet was off and was given a chance to approach a realistic target and active LoI manager. Once the approach was rebuffed by Waterford then BA took his man in, snap decision. A bit more pushing for Long and generally people get their chance to at least talk to those making an approach. No need for much fuss, he just had to give the statutory notice to the current employer!
From my reading, Halpin and Garts did not know that Noel King was going to be appointed, and were caught by surprise like the rest of us.
Long, Keddy from Wexford and Stephen Kenny were all sounded out before King was appointed.
Personally, I do not think King will last beyond 3 games.
Burns and Garts were doing well (even if there was a countdown on their effectiveness of caretaker manager). There was no need to rush an appointment. I also think this Dundalk squad is well capable of staying up - all we need is a spark going forward. We have dominated midfield in games, work fairly hard, and defend decent outside a couple of games.
This King appointment just makes no sense beyond it just being an arrogant, singular, and absent of football understanding decision by the owner.
Not sure it can be entirely siad that its an absence of football understanding, that is a matter of opinion. It is certainly an absence of understanding of Dundalk FC and its fans!
Last night went thro that famous interview when King was ROI interim mgr in 2013 when TOD interviewed him. God he is so bitter it will be interesting to see if Tony O Donoghue will interview him again?
Decky Devine given the permanent job as Glens manager. Maybe a bit surprising, based on their middling results.
On the basis of results certainly, but on the basis upon which the club is run, not in the least.
Which is not to say he's a bad manager (am in no position to comment), but the club is in such a state that Pep Guardiola would struggle to get a tune out of them.
One interesting comment from the club statement: "Declan will have responsibility for playing matters at all levels throughout the club, including full authority over player and senior coaching staff recruitment."
The most pressing problem at the club (though by no means the only one!) is that the absentee owner has appointed a mate to run the club on his behalf, with that mate working in conjunction with a mate of his own. Those two have screwed up appallingly, even despite having serious money to spend, so that the whole club is a bit of a shambles.
Tbf to Devine, after the most recent debacle (losing 2-0 at Cliftonville on Saturday, when apparently they were atrocious), he lashed out all round him. Fans seem to feel that while he must bear at least some responsibility, he at least spoke the truth. Apparently half the squad are out of contract next month, so it will be interesting to see who comes in instead. If they're picked from DD's contacts book, then maybe he can do a decent job.
But I would fear that he'll still be hamstrung by the clowns above him.
Declan Devine named Glentoran boss on a permanent basis,he must be unbeliveable in interviews!
Or maybe Dundalk couldn't afford the compensation? Realistically, he's Keith Long. He's on a short enough contract you'd imagine with a modest wage. Waterford wouldn't have been looking for millions. I actually think it adds to Ger's point that you don't have a pot to **** in
From what I know, King's wages will be just slightly less bunce than S o'Ds.
Money is available for mid-season or out of contract transfers.
Money available for renovation of floodlights and pitch.
Debts being paid.
Operations at ydl to resume shortly after a lot of work, time and money spent on it.
Ainscough is definitely pumping a lot of money in to the club and definitely seems to have deep pockets and can't fault him there.
On the managerial appointment front?? ........ :(
What can we do now except accept it and see how it transpires, I'll be in op on Friday hoping we win, same as always
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024...ith-victories/
Am I reading this right? It comes across as King didn't apply for the job but Ainscough just called him and offered him the job? Bizarre goings on in Dundalk if that's correct.
In fairness to King. He is only the 2nd most surprising appointment at Dundalk in the last 4 years.
Such a pity ainscough wasn't pally with Roddy. Same era as King but with a personality and some actual achievements beyond goto staffer for the FAI under Delaney and an abject failure at that. Reminds me of Maurice setters under Jack charlton. Given the under 21s job and his repeated abject failures ignored....setters was just a pal of Jack's and a mug . King ......
It was mentioned that grant applications were submitted for the floodlights and pitch and I hope this really is the case. I cant recall how often you can apply for a pitch but it would be a either a 2nd or 3rd grant, its used to be 10 years a facility that recieves a grant must be used before desposal without repaying a grant so timing would better fit that this is a 2nd grant.
Dunno the exact dimensions of Oriel pitch but the Aviva is about 7200m², it was about *€20-25 per m² so round up to 200k. Infil need to be changed on H+S gounds, future proof the pitch as per the EU ban on older types of rubber infill/microplastics (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/...-41033855.html). Cork infill supposedly better replicates a grass pitch, absorbs less heat, less UV degredation so should lengthen the lifespan offsetting some future cost. Not a major deal but will look better than the black rubber crumb too. *I wouldnt think any major work is needed on the pitch foundation bar the increased size, more expensive infill, cost of desposing old pitch and crumb, prices may be outdated so I'll guestimate with precision of between €150-300k. Local press quoted €1mil a while back but that seems to be to be the cost of a entire replacement of the pitch system. There was also a suggestion of an EU ban on artificial surfaces but my reading was that the ban would be on the type of infill. Figures were based on what it cost for Derry to install and or replace their pitch I think to a hybrid system. If the new pitch in Oriel is to a 1mil hybrid pitch great and a grant would be possible. If its relaying the surface layer and changing infill the 1mil is damn expensive and the Dept of Sport are in trouble trying to fund replacement pitches all over the place or close facilities at all sorts of levels. Anyway that will rear is head another day.
YDC needed remedial work reportedly to meet fire regulations and BA didnt see the cost as prohibitive. He said similar in relation to installing modular covered seating units. Covering each end of The Shed would take damn all effort imo and as Oriel has mentioned in the past, the Town end seated terrace could also be covered. The disabled seatig is now installed adjacent to this terrace so it would make sense to cover both areas. The only reason I can think of for such work not being done is fear of opening a can of worms on planning issues if planning is required, it may have been a convenient reason for previous owers not to bother but if there is no change to capacity and it probably improves safety (no standing on a grass bank), it'd be picky by LCC/DTC make a big fuss.
Id presume that debts are structured - if its not the revenue owed money it doesnt make sense for creditors not to agree to repayment plans. Of coure BA may have just cleared all debt as part of the sale but we know very little about the debt tbh. Maybe there are director loans lumped in with the 750k and where did the figures come from and when - could be from previous sources in the club that are no longer involved. We may get some insight from published accounts in due course.
I agree with TT that certainly at face value BA has been positive in getting things done that seem like basic day to day stuff sorted eg seeing that the cost of opening the YDC again should be an income stream or a cost saving facility for training sessions. There even seemed to be a previous disinterest in having the Lilywhite Lounge open toward the end of the previous ownership - it was manned by volunteers in the past so at the very least....
Im not convinced that the managerial appointment was budget based, BA has used an old contact, he was coached by King hiself and must feel that what is needed is well something in Noel Kings team management - Id like to see movement on a backroom team unless its Gartland, Burns with King just fronting things but that would make even less sense considering there is a pro licence holder already at the club that could have stepped in to that role. Tony's interview with NK was bland by past examples, I hope it remains that way due to a lack of need to question tactics and results....it will entertain fans of other clubs if King gets cranky or points on the board, playing a more direct style of football might add goals (its only agricultural football when Caulfield has teams hoofing it), Gullan seems to be getting fitter and creating a bit more, he isnt a like for like kind of replacement for Hoban yet we tried to play as if he was. A Derry fan mentioned them going 2 up top and conceding possession and being more efficient, S'OD liked his xG stats that meant little so old fashioned could be the new new..........................
Maybe this is all part of some masterplan. Sack O'Donnell and bring in a complete out of the blue almost nepotism style hire and show how bad things can go then when all looks lost bring back O'Donnell because you are still paying him and everyone (coaches, players & fans) all get behind their saviour, Dundalk escape relegation and win the cup! It's insane but it just might work!
To add to that and confirmed this week by local media, they had made huge offer to Kenny, but he wanted to wait for jobs abroad, and were prepared to go compensation route with Waterford but it never got any further.
Seemingly Ainscough does have decent funds, and 2 new investors were confirmed 4 weeks ago, correct on new pitch for 2025 and new lights also, and YDC should be re-open soon and for the community.
All sounds good, then we go for King to take the manager job, its still bizarre really.
Million euro at least..... probably more ?
think the use by date for our pitch is up at the end of this season?
Hopefully see some capital fund grants coming in.
https://www.independent.ie/regionals...%20next%20year.
Doesnt mention cost above but 1mil is usually a complete new instllation. Id have thought the upper layer and infill is all that is needed + the additions to the pitch size. I cant swear on it but after the first pitch installed while Sean Connolly was CEO (pitch sitting in Dublin Port for months stuff) it was with a grant allocation but Hiney Park was aso sold to help cover general costs and draw down grant %. I think the grant was due to expire but for some help from a politician fan. There was an issue with that surface soon enough so Gerry Matthews had a new top layer and infill done also (removed pitch was set on fire and GM sought insurance claim on the loss!!?) this was part funded by the club and field turf due to whatever issue there was and GM's workers did the work of laying the surface, never looked right with obvious joins between sections rolled out. 2017 another new surface layer was installed and is the one still in use. So things were managed wihout large grants bar the original fieldtrurf job. So Im still inclinded on this new 4th relaid turf and infilland not be the full installation cost of 1mil, that quote it think is lited is lifted from Derry info, or the 1mil cost includes both work to pitch and floodlights - inflation as high as it is and all.
I see Sean Maguire has been released by Carlisle, usually and at his age (he turns 30 this week), you think they will extend career in uk, but not sure this time, his club have been relegated so not sure he will have too many UK options.
Wonder does this open the door to a LOI return in July, who would be in the running I wonder.
Maguire has 11 full caps per Mr Wiki, I always wouldn't rule out Galway, re-united with Caulfield.
(just looked up Daryl Horgan on the Ireland caps, he has 17, I think most as subs, but still a decent haul, he had a great game v Bohs).
I'd love it if Caulfield could convince him to come out West