The new manager effect

In Ireland the number of football managers serving the full length of their contracts with a club has decreased dramatically in recent years, as proven by the fact that within the first three months of the 2015 SSE Airtricity league season there has been four managerial casualties.

However while there has been changes in the hot seat at four clubs, these changes has seen several of the new managers making an instant impact upon their arrival at their respective clubs.

Cobh Ramblers

Manager Martin Cambridge resigned after the Rams suffered three consecutive league defeats to start their campaign.

His replacement Stephen Henderson returned to the club for a second spell as manager and had an instant impact, defeating Cabinteely 1-0 to start a run of one that saw Cobh go five games unbeaten.

Bray Wanderers

After starting the 2015 SSE Airtricity League with a run of five straight league defeats the announcement came that Alan Mathews had left Bray Wanderers, sighting a breakdown in communications with the board.

Alan’s temporary replacement Maciej Tarnigrodzki, who had agreed to take charge of the Premier Division side for a short period of time, was rewarded instantly after The Seagulls defeated Sligo Rovers by 3-1 at the Showgrounds in Tarnigrodzki first game in charge.

Tarnigrodzki reign as Bray boss duly ended and Trevor Croly was announced as the new permanent boss at the Carlisle Grounds and Croly could not have started better after his side defeated 2014 FAI Cup winners St Patrick's Athletic 1-0 thanks to a 74th minute goal from Peter McGlynn.

Waterford United

Following Waterford’s 3-2 loss against Finn Harps on May 8th the League of Ireland rumour mill began to go into overdrive with the suggestion on social media being that Roddy Collins would be unveiled as the new Waterford United manager with Tommy Griffin moving into a new role as Head of Football Operations at the R.S.C.

On May 12th Collins was confirmed as the new manager of the Blues and his reign got off to a perfect start when they defeated Cabinteely 3-1 in front of 585 fans in the R.S.C last Friday night.

Athlone Town

After a run of indifferent results culminating with May 8^th’s 1-1 draw with UCD in the Athlone Town Stadium, manager Eddie Wallace announced that he was leaving The Midlanders due to personal reasons.

Exactly one week later, it was confirmed that ex Seagulls boss Alan Matthews would take the over as manager at the Midlanders club after been spotted in the stands watching his future side’s 3-2 defeat to his former club, Shelbourne.

Matthew's first game in charge of Athlone will see his side travel to high flying Wexford Youths next Friday hoping to continue on the trend of new managers, starting their reign with a victory.