The Search Continues

Time for an update on the evolving search for a new permanent manager of Waterford FC. The club’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Curwood, was in the RSC on Thursday and Friday and the intention seems to be to act quickly, but successfully, in appointing a new man. Matt Lawlor will stay in charge as long as necessary, and there is no overwhelming panic to rush somebody else in (especially after the improvements witnessed on Friday night against Derry City), but if the right man is available, the owners will not delay in making a decision.

Ruaidhri Higgins was certainly in pole position by Thursday and probably still is. He has been speaking to a number of clubs including Athlone Town and, according to the Belfast Telegraph, is in the frame to take over Coleraine, for whom he played at the end of his career. The Irish Independent, who were first to report the Athlone link, now say he “will not be pursuing the opportunity” with the Midlanders. My understanding is that Waterford have had at least two lengthy conversations about the vacant Blues job and that he would not be relocating from the northwest if he takes the role so would face a 500-mile round-trip to the southeast.

The Independent claimed yesterday that Irish Under 21 coach Stephen Rice is also under consideration to replace Keith Long at the helm. Rice, 40, is best-known for his playing career when he won league titles with Shamrock Rovers under Michael O’Neill in 2010 and ’11. Always a leader on the pitch, the driving midfielder captained Rovers to the first of those championships. 

 

Republic of Ireland Under 21 assistant manager Stephen Rice 

 

The Dubliner coached at underage level with both the Republic of Ireland and Shamrock Rovers before taking charge of Crystal Palace’s Under 21 side in 2020. A year later, he accepted a role as Ireland’s Opposition Analyst, ironically, replacing Higgins in that role on Stephen Kenny’s staff after the former left to become manager of Derry City. Last summer, Jim Crawford appointed Rice as his assistant manager with the Irish Under 21s when Alan Reynolds stepped aside from that position. The Waterford job would be a first position as senior manager for Rice.

Interim Head Coach Matt Lawlor is very popular with players and, clearly, with the decision-makers at Fleetwood Town too. Everyone saw the passion he brought to Friday’s win with ecstatic celebrations after the final whistle. It obviously meant a lot to him and it’s great to see that level of enthusiasm for our club. By all accounts, that was a taste of the intensity he delivers in the dressing-room so it’s easy to see how motivated his players would be.

The performance against Derry City was very impressive, especially in stark contrast to most of the lacklustre displays in the past two – or, arguably, nine – months. The tempo was high from the off and there was far more teamwork with players supporting each other in attacking, defending and pressing. Without reinventing the wheel, Lawlor tweaked a few things in Waterford’s approach. There was a clear emphasis on getting the ball in behind the Derry defence with the wing backs, in particular, chipping and slipping passes into the channels and forcing the visiting defenders onto the back foot rather than recycling into midfield or backwards. 

It was good to see what small improvements the caretaker boss could achieve after just a few days on the training ground. Aside from the tactics, there appeared to be a fresh mood in the camp and the thirteen players used really played as a team and gave every last drop of energy they had. A first win in eight will surely have given the ownership food for thought.

 

Interim Head Coach Matt Lawlor

 

Could Lawlor be a permanent solution? Given his enthusiasm on Friday and his evident love of Waterford last year, an ambitious young manager like him must be very tempted. However, he has a young family in the Fleetwood area and moving to Ireland might be the main stumbling block. 

As for any others, there was a phonecall to Colin Healy, who was out of the country at the time, but I don’t believe that was ever really a runner. Alan Reynolds doesn’t appear to have any intention of leaving the division’s form team Bohemians, nor has Marc Bircham any desire to quit sunnier climes. There have been applications, as always, from very varied candidates, but no others have emerged as strong possibilities.

It looks, as of Monday, that Higgins, Rice and Lawlor are the frontrunners, but nothing is simple or guaranteed in this league. The Blues have a busy weekend ahead with two trips to the capital in four days. First up, it’s Bohemians in Dalymount Park on Friday and that will be followed by the champions Shelbourne in Tolka Park on Monday. We may see white smoke before that, but the team are in Lawlor’s capable hands for now.