CHARLIE FROM THE STANDS: What does it take to become a great manager?

Stephen O’Donnell’s dismissal as Dundalk manager earlier this week followed Declan Devine’s departure at Bohemains recently, as the latest management casualty in the league. Dundalk’s miserable start to the season has seen them fail to pick up a win in the opening round of games, sitting at the bottom of the table with just three points, and it would appear that the Dundalk hierarchy had seen enough.

But you have to wonder what is next for the Oriel Park side? It got me thinking about what it takes to become a great manager. Is it a sharp suit or maybe a decent head of hair? Or maybe it is the laidback ‘I am the boss’ attitude that made Roddy Collins so successful (at getting jobs). Or perhaps it’s the ‘I don’t give a shit and can grow my beard as long as I want’ Damien Duff approach. Who knows? But one thing is for sure – it’s a tough industry.

For fans trying to create their arguments and form opinions on current or incoming managers, it can often be a guessing game – particularly in the League of Ireland. But to a Chairman and a Board, there needs be a certain level of knowledge and assuredness that the manager being brought in, is the right one on every level – personality, playing style, management style, ability etc.

As the way is with football, opposition managers can be linked with jobs at times. Maybe Dundalk of yesteryear may have been able to attract a Damien Duff or a Jon Daly, but where they are right now makes that totally unrealistic. 

The ideal profile for Dundalk now, is a manager who is a high-performer, someone who is boxing above their weight. It is someone who has less resources than the rest, and a squad that may not be yet achieving great things, but showing signs of promise. And most critically, a manager who developed players over a longer period of time and made them better.

Think back to Stephen Kenny’s time at Derry City, and his role in the development of players like Niall McGinn, Ryan McBride, James McClean, Paddy McCourt and Stephen McLaughlin. Let’s use Stephen as an example. Stephen had just completed one season at Finn Harps after joining from Inishowen League side, Clonmany Shamrocks at the time when Stephen Kenny spotted him and brought him to the Brandywell. He went on to play 57 times before being sold to Nottingham Forest, and fair play to him, he has continued to have a career in the UK – now at League Two challengers, Mansfield. Being able to identify, nurture and progress a player like that, that’s the kind of manager Dundalk should be targeting. 

In other managerial news, we have hit the month where the FAI have said they would be appointing the new permanent Ireland boss. And I believe there is only one candidate.

The FAI need to appoint this man because he matches the current group of players perfectly and would bring loads of other values to the role. Think about boxing above his weight with budget, players development over a longer period of time, stability within his club and the results, and then add in everything the Ireland players have been asking for the manager to have (Irish roots, someone who knows what it means to be Irish and pull on the Ireland Jersey) - are you close yet?

Add in the fact that he has played at the highest level in football and has over 100 caps for Ireland. Surely, you know who I’m talking about by now… If you don't, please drop me a message so I can remove you from the mailing list and X.

It’s not Carsley. It’s not Poyet. It’s not Lennon.

So, with those out of running and the rest of us none the wiser, I beg the question – how the hell have Jonathan Hill and Marc Canham not appointed Damien Duff? I’m not saying consider him, I’m saying appoint him!

The appointment should not be some previously successful manager, just for the hope that he possesses some innate knowledge of how to win – like a Neil Lennon – God, no. The new manager should match their tactics and style to the players they already have at their disposal, the players that have been nurtured and primed by Stephen Kenny. This manager won’t have to go scouring Europe for the next generation of players, the hard work has already been done and the ones that Kenny missed, John O’Shea had brought into the fold (Finn Azaz, Sammie Szmodics, Jake O’Brien).

Whether Duff would have an interest or not, the FAI have spent months running after the likes Carsley and others, when they have a man that represented Ireland with esteem and who is making a name for himself as one of the top talents in managerial game at present, operating in the domestic league. Going by Duff’s interviews, maybe it’s of no appeal to him leaving the Greatest League in the World for the big stage.

Aggression

Derry City’s win over Dundalk last Friday night was, in my opinion, down to a couple of things: the supporters; and the team’s aggression. Both feed off each other and will play a big part in Derry’s season.

From the beginning of the game, both sets of fans were at each other. It was brilliant to watch, and the craic was flying. I hope fans understand how much the players feed off this noise, and how it plays such a big factor in the way the players perform.

The aggression side I mentioned can be easily misconstrued. I’m not talking smashing into tackles or running around like Dennis Wise or Nicky Butt. But I mean that Derry were aggressive in their style of play, passing the ball with purpose, moving with purpose, running with purpose. It was evident in their setup, positioning and mentality, and it was joy to watch.

Dundalk have only scored three goals so far this season, and watching on Friday night, that does not surprise me. Despite their build-up play being good at times, they lacked a real threat in front of goal. Indeed, their decision to let Pat Hoban leave - a striker that has scored six goals from 7 chances this season - may not have been the best decision. Once Dundalk went a goal behind, it was curtains.

There is a weakness and fragility to Dundalk this season, which is worrying. Even without Stephen O’Donnell, Dundalk will struggle. 

Elsewhere, leaders Shelbourne finished off the first round of games with a hard-earned point at Drogheda United, giving them a return of return of 21 points from 27 available. Now, if Shels were to continue this vein of form (which I can’t see, i see them drawing too many games) they would end up with an impressive 84 points, which would be more than enough to clinch the league title (i predict 68 points will win the league this year). However, the draw with Drogheda just proves how every match in the league this year is going to be tight. Like most teams, being able to score and not concede goals, and crucially, not drawing too many games will all be deciding factors.

Alan Reynolds’ decision to stick with the same players for three games in a week meant that Waterford were facing a tired Bohs at Dalymount Park on Friday, overcoming the home side with a 1-0 win. Whilst they were his opening games in charge of the club, it was a big mistake by Reynolds to go to the well with these players – but such is the challenge of having a small squad. Clubs with big squads will always come out on top during these busy periods.

Lastly, St Pat’s overcame Shamrock Rovers at Inchicore, a big result for Jon Daly’s side. Although stats will suggest Rovers’ dominance (20 shots on target and 71% possession away from home), they don’t count for anything if you can’t hit the back of the net. For Stephen Bradley, it was an unusual result and one that every fan in the country will experience this year.