The Next Manager
With it looking increasingly likely that Martin O’Neill will retire after the cup final and his call for Celtic to sort it out quickly eyes are on the next boss.
When you look back at the season the only logical conclusion is the role needs someone with experience of winning trophies and being able to navigate the high pressure environment. Looking at other managers in the league they have all to a point collapsed under the weight place on them
Danny Rohl - lack of experience really showed in Rangers collapse and in the way he dealt with Tavernier. Absolutely clear the pressure got the better of him.
Derek McInness - Terrible away form in the last few months, team clearly struggled in the last few games as the pressure got to fever pitch and his reaction to the Motherwell penalty clearly showed he is not a winner nor able to handle the level of pressure placed on him.
Jens Berthel Askou - Again in the run up to the split and during it his team was under a little pressure as they weren’t far off 3rd. In the last 10 games Motherwell won only 2 matches. While playing good football, the only logical conclusion is that his inability to get results when it mattered means the pressure got to his team aswell.
Compare that with O’Neill, who has been over the course as a title winner previously. In his 23 matches he took 59 out of a possible 69 available points and a +30 goal difference overall , that’s 14 points more than Rohl took over that period and 16 more the McInnes. The data tells a clear picture, experience and being a winner will help you navigate the high pressure environment.
So, in that case, who should be the new manager:
- Someone with experience of winning titles.
- Someone with experience of outperforming expectations in Europe.
- Someone who works or has worked at a club where winning all or most of your matches is the minimum accepted standard.
Therefore I give you the name:
Stephen Bradley of Shamrock Rovers
Young enough at 41 that he has longevity on his side.
Irish and understands what is needed to win and get titles over the line.
Took Shamrock Rovers to the conference league and has twice outperformed expectations
10 years experience as a manager
Won 5 LOI titles
Noted as saying he wants to manage at the highest possible level he can
Has links to Celtic and being a fan, therefore will understand the club and the pressure managers will be under.
It’s a name that’s not heavily been linked probably because of his experience in LOI. BUT he has been successful, he can build a winning team and compete across Europe and domestic football and he unlikely to come with airs and graces to the point he’d be insecure if O’Neill was given a role in the set up.
For anyone wondering why he hasn’t made the leap before, he’s had chances, but his son underwent a long battle with cancer and was recently earlier this year given the all clear.
Bright young coach, with lots of experience and A name that’s should be under serious consideration.