Licensing rules could hinder Harps appointment
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Finn Harps Chairman Joey O’Leary believes the appointment of a new manager at Finn Park is very imminent, stating that a decision to find a replacement for James Gallagher will be made by ‘the end of this weekend or the start of next week’.
The search began immediately after Gallagher and his assistant Anthony Gorman were let go following their fourth league defeat of the season against Longford Town last Friday. The Harps Chairman confirmed that eight individuals have since been interviewed for the vacancy and that the Board are confident a new manager will be in place for Harps’ next home game, which is against fellow-strugglers Wexford Youths this day week.
He said: “We interviewed six candidates earlier in the week and two more on Wednesday, finalising the first phase of the process. We will then look to scale it down to two or three and hopefully by the end of the weekend or the start of next week we’ll have our man.” O’Leary revealed that the majority of candidates who applied were northwest-based and that they had one from Scotland and one from Dublin.
“I have to say that the quality and number of applicants has been very encouraging. There have been people who have applied that have a lot of experience in the League of Ireland, but it was a decision we said from day one we wouldn’t rush into and that we would consider everything we needed to,” added the Chairman.
Not willing to reveal any names of the applicants, O’Leary did confirm that they have to abide by the Licensing Rules of the Airtricity League, which state that each manager must have a UEFA ‘A’ Badge in Coaching and if not then a member of his coaching staff should. Unfortunately, therein lies the problem and one of the biggest obstacles for Harps, whose purse-strings are already at full stretch.
Strong rumours have been linking ex-Harps manager’s Felix Healy and Dermot Keely with a return to the Donegal Club, but neither of them have the required Coaching Badges, despite their vast experience in the League of Ireland.
Both men are said to be hugely interested in rejoining Harps but their potential appointment would subsequently be followed by the employment of a coach who has a UEFA ‘A’ Badge, leaving Harps with a financial conundrum.
“We have to liaise with the Licensing Committee and stick by their criteria for appointing a manager, which does make it that little bit more difficult in making the best choice,” said O’Leary.
Meanwhile, Harps skipper Kevin McHugh will look after the squad when they travel to Tolka Park to play Shelbourne this evening, where they will hope to put an end to three successive defeats (kick-off 7.45).
The search began immediately after Gallagher and his assistant Anthony Gorman were let go following their fourth league defeat of the season against Longford Town last Friday. The Harps Chairman confirmed that eight individuals have since been interviewed for the vacancy and that the Board are confident a new manager will be in place for Harps’ next home game, which is against fellow-strugglers Wexford Youths this day week.
He said: “We interviewed six candidates earlier in the week and two more on Wednesday, finalising the first phase of the process. We will then look to scale it down to two or three and hopefully by the end of the weekend or the start of next week we’ll have our man.” O’Leary revealed that the majority of candidates who applied were northwest-based and that they had one from Scotland and one from Dublin.
“I have to say that the quality and number of applicants has been very encouraging. There have been people who have applied that have a lot of experience in the League of Ireland, but it was a decision we said from day one we wouldn’t rush into and that we would consider everything we needed to,” added the Chairman.
Not willing to reveal any names of the applicants, O’Leary did confirm that they have to abide by the Licensing Rules of the Airtricity League, which state that each manager must have a UEFA ‘A’ Badge in Coaching and if not then a member of his coaching staff should. Unfortunately, therein lies the problem and one of the biggest obstacles for Harps, whose purse-strings are already at full stretch.
Strong rumours have been linking ex-Harps manager’s Felix Healy and Dermot Keely with a return to the Donegal Club, but neither of them have the required Coaching Badges, despite their vast experience in the League of Ireland.
Both men are said to be hugely interested in rejoining Harps but their potential appointment would subsequently be followed by the employment of a coach who has a UEFA ‘A’ Badge, leaving Harps with a financial conundrum.
“We have to liaise with the Licensing Committee and stick by their criteria for appointing a manager, which does make it that little bit more difficult in making the best choice,” said O’Leary.
Meanwhile, Harps skipper Kevin McHugh will look after the squad when they travel to Tolka Park to play Shelbourne this evening, where they will hope to put an end to three successive defeats (kick-off 7.45).
