Coleman relishing the challenge that lies ahead
Newly appointed Waterford FC manager John Coleman watches the game against Shelbourne from the stand alongside club owner Jamie Pilley and Will Watt. Photo: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
It is five days after his appointment and John Coleman strolls through the SETU Arena like a man on a mission. He has just had his first training session with his team and after a brief lunch it is back to the gym for the players while Coleman sits down with local media.
He was in the stands at Tolka Park on the Bank Holiday Monday to watch Waterford FC close out interim manager Matt Lawlor’s brief tenure with a third win in four, and he is now charged with continuing this resurgence.
And he was happy with the first session with the players.
“We had a good chat with the players, trying to get across what we expect of them. They've already shown in the last couple of games what we want, which is the fight, the determination, and the work rate.
“That will be a non-negotiable. They've shown that they can do it, so it's living up to our standards now and then trying to add elements to our game that make us a better proposition going forward, and an even better proposition defensively.”
Having gotten the call to take over the team, Coleman was already invested as he watched the games over the weekend.
“The thing is that I was kicking every ball, certainly the last two games, wanting us to win. I've never felt external pressure because I've always put a lot on myself.
“We had to defend really well on Friday, and we had to defend really well on Monday, but if we go down that road of trying to do that and see out games every week, your luck will change.
“The bounce of the ball will go against you, the referee's decision will go against you, and you'll quickly be playing catch-up.” As they head into their first game in charge, Coleman and assistant manager Danny Ventre have a clear vision of what is required.
“There's a lot to play for, and we've got to stand up now and believe in ourselves and get an idea of what it takes to be successful at this league, and the players have to take responsibility for that.
“They have to look after themselves. They have to buy into what we're trying to do, which will only be for their benefit. And they have to, as I said before, they have to work hard, they have to show that passion that I know myself and Danny will bring anyway. So they have to replicate that passion.
“When it all boils down to it, people can make cases for managers, and managers get put on a pedestal all the time, and they quickly get knocked down.
“You're only really as good as your players. We can organise them, we can get them playing, but sometimes you need a little bit of leadership and you need a little bit of motivation, and hopefully we can give them that as well.”
Both Coleman and Ventre have already had a chance to look at games, and the manager has been impressed by the commitment of the squad.
“We have watched a lot of games, most parts of every game that's been played this season. I don't think we're in a situation where people need a clean slate here. I think it's quite a tight-knit group. I think they come across as a good set of people.
“I've always prided myself in that if we have someone who plays for me, I'd like to think that when he leaves me, he leaves a better person. You know, regardless of whether he leaves a better player. And you know, I've tried to build my career on empathy with people. And I respect it being a two-way process.
“I would never demand respect from people. You have to earn that respect. But likewise, you've got to give respect to everybody. And everybody's opinion and everybody's input have got to be valued.
“The minute you start thinking you're above that or anybody starts thinking they're above that, the whole team's dynamic collapses. So, you know, it's very much an affinity, for the good of the team and the good of the club.”
Having brought Padraig Amond back from Portugal to Accrington Stanley, Coleman knows the standards and commitment the Carlow man brings to any team, and he is thrilled to have him as part of the Waterford setup.
“Oh, natural born leader, Podge. Great lad. You know, I brought him over to England, and I couldn't speak highly enough of him. And, you know, he will have told the players the way I operate, and he will know that there could be good times ahead if they want to buy into what we want to do.”
And as the new manager looks ahead to a potential transfer window and what that might bring, he was very steadfast in his thinking.
“I think we've got a decent squad. We've got a tight-knit squad, which helps more than anything. I've worked with plenty of teams, and I know that a willingness to succeed together overpowers everything.
“We would like to make one or two additions, and we are possibly a little bit light in attacking areas. We’ll only sign the players who we think will make us better.
“We're not going to sign players for the sake of it. Sometimes, you can get carried away with the emotion of a transfer window, and there seems to be a need to appear to be proactive.
“Sometimes you can get carried away and sign the wrong players or waste a lot of money. So, we won't be doing that. Hopefully we'll get players in who can enhance what we've already got.”
