John Coleman appointed new Waterford FC manager after two-week hunt
New Waterford FC manager John Coleman. Photo: Waterford FC
The hunt for Keith Long’s replacement as Waterford FC manager is over as John Coleman has been appointed new Blues boss on a multi-year contract and will take charge of his first game against Galway United at the RSC on Friday night.
Coleman, who has managed at Accrington Stanley, Gillingham, and Rochdale in the UK, also took charge of Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland for a short spell. He becomes the boss after a number of candidates from inside the League of Ireland were also spoken to.
Commenting on the appointment, Waterford FC owner Jamie Pilley said: “We are delighted to be able to attract someone of John’s experience and standing in football to The RSC.
“The level of candidates we spoke to was hugely impressive, with applicants from within the League of Ireland and from all around the footballing world. But after hearing what John’s got to say, and his desire to challenge himself to bring success to Waterford Football Club, he was the stand-out applicant and the obvious choice.”
Speaking on becoming manager, John Coleman said: “I’m delighted to become Waterford FC manager and excited by the League of Ireland, which has a real vibrancy about it at the moment.
“Although it will be a big challenge, there is clearly a huge desire to be successful at this football club and to progress up this division.
“I’m relishing the opportunity to get started to build on the great work that has been done here in recent years.” While Matt Lawlor will continue as Interim manager for Monday’s game against Shelbourne, which will see Coleman in attendance, that will be Lawlor’s final game before heading home to the UK to return to Fleetwood Town.
A further announcement regarding Coleman’s backroom team will be made in due course, with Danny Venture, who played 194 times for Sligo Rovers, expected to be his number two.
