Here are Leagueofireland.ie’s top three contenders to take the Shamrock Rovers hotseat following the departure of Pat Fenlon yesterday
Ian Baraclough
Ian Baraclough is well known in League of Ireland circles as of his success at Sligo Rovers.
He Led Sligo Rovers to their first League of Ireland Premier Division title in 35 years in 2012 and in doing so qualified for the 2013/14 Champions League, making me the only English manager in that years’ competition.
He also the club to FAI Cup glory at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin in a thrilling final v Drogheda 3-2 in November 2013.
Managed Sligo Rovers to their first ever All-Ireland Setanta Cup Final success with a 1-0 win over Dundalk in May 2014. This victory made it three major trophies won in the 25 months since taking over at the club.
Odds – 5/1
Paul Doolin
There is plenty of talk in the media that Paul Doolin is in pole position to take the management role at the Dublin club after Pat Fenlon’s sacking.
Doolin stepped down from his role as Ireland u19 boss recently as he is looking for a higher role in football.
His teams qualified for the elite phase competition five times in a row, and in 2011 reached the European semi-final, losing to Spain who were on their way to their fourth win a row. Most of that squad are still active and two of them – Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady – are now in the senior squad which shows his eye for a player.
In League of Ireland terms Doolin has had a very high level of success guiding Drogheda United to a league title and an FAI Cup along with two Setanta Cups. It does seem a perfect match if Doolin would be interested?
Odds – 13/8
Martin Russell
Martin Russell would be very much an outside choice, however his form at Limerick FC this season must be making a few clubs stand up and take note of his achievements.
The club have won 14 of 15 league games this season only drawing with Drogheda stopped a historic 100% record.
Russell has gained managerial experience with UCD and already has a first division title with UCD and is certain to add another with Limerick.
With Limerick showing that high level form, maybe it shows the Rovers board that the Dubliner can handle and thrive in a full time professionally ran club.
Odds – 16/1
would be gutted to see Russell leave Limerick. I do think though that with the squad he has it would be hard not to win the first division, but he is doing it in a comprehensive manner
Without proper financial backing , as well as the required moral support from the board any manager will struggle to win the title at Rovers . Two of the leagues most successful have not managed to work their magic there, for whatever reason