KEITH LONG’S REIGN as Bohemians manager has come to an end, the club announced today.
Long was appointed as manager in 2014, and he was the second-longest serving manager in the League of Ireland Premier Division prior to today’s announcement. His assistants Trevor Croly and Derek Pender will now take charge of the squad on an interim basis.
“It is with regret that Bohemian FC has today parted company with men’s first team manager Keith Long”, read a club statement. “The board of Bohemian FC wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for Keith’s dedication, loyalty and success during his time at the club.”
The club paid detailed tribute to Long’s work in today’s statement, though admitted that league results this season “have fallen short of his aspirations and most committed of efforts.”
Long was given the mandate to avoid relegation in his first season and instead finished fifth, going on to lead the club into Europe and a narrow penalty-shoot defeat to Fehervar on penalties in 2020. Bohs finished second in the league and a fantastic European run followed the following year, beating Stjarnan, Dudelange and PAOK in Conference League qualifier games at the Aviva Stadium before being knocked out on aggregate by the Greek giants. A further heartbreak followed at the Aviva later that year, as Bohs lost the FAI Cup final on penalties to Pat’s.
Georgie Kelly, Ross Tierney, Andy Lyons, and captain Keith Buckley all left the club after that cup final defeat, and this year proved a rebuild too far for Long, who was heavily backed in the summer window as Bohs signed nine new players. That didn’t lead to an immediate uptick in results, however, and last night’s loss to Pat’s was their third-straight home league defeat.
Bohs are sixth in the league, but only two points clear of eighth-placed Drogheda. They remain in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup, which is their only realistic route to securing European football next year.
“Keith showed a loyalty to our club that is rare in football, and he can call himself a true Bohemian”, continued the Bohs statement. “He embodies the values of our club and has represented it impeccably throughout his time here.
“As well as the many great nights he delivered over his time in charge, the contribution that he has made in working with the club to build structures and lay foundations for future success cannot be overstated.
“It is with regret that league results this season have fallen short of his aspirations and most committed of efforts.
“We are extremely appreciative for everything he has done for our club over his tenure, and the board of Bohemian FC wish him the very best of luck for the future.”
Been a great servant to the club. I wish him well
@Brian Dunne: do you think it’s the right call? He showed great patience over the years with chopping and changes in the squad, also lost a lot of big players recently
@Niall Brady: his time has probably come Niall. But he’s done an excellent job over the years and should always be held in high regard in dalymount
Next appointment has to be Roddy. They’re made for each other.
@Kevin: roddy is a spoofer
@Shane Lad: kinda strengthens my argument.
@Kevin:
@Kevin: I like what you did there
Was coming in fairness but thanks for all the great memories over the last few years. Probably wouldn’t be a bad decision to leave Trevor and Derek in full time charge
@John Kelly: out of interest, do Bohs fans think someone else will do a better job? I always thought he did an amazing job given resources but maybe that’s too simplistic a view.
@Brian Murphy: he did a fantastic job and was very loyal to the club. Things have gone very stale lately.
@Brian Dunne: Yeah, probably sums it up fairly though should have had end of season imo
@Brian Murphy: not a Bohs fan either but I thought he did a good job there too. As well as the 4 mentioned in the article, they’ve lost Dawson Devoy, Rob Cornwall, Anto Breslin and more recently Promise Omochere. Probably forgetting others too. Thats a lot of rebuilding to do and seems he hasn’t been given a long time to do it.
@The Logic: Not the first time he’s had to rebuild either. I’m not a Bohs fan but I’d have thought along similar lines.
@Brian Dunne: Fair enough. I hope the next manager is able to freshen things up but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching alot of football is that a new manager is not always the answer. Good luck either way as I spent years in Dublin going to Dalymount before it was cool despite being a Cork City fan.
@The Logic: he always lost his best players. Blooded so many kids and operated on a shoe string compared to other sides. Felt he did a remarkable job. Not many managers have an 8 year stint in LOI.
I will be surprised if his successor can do better
@Brian Murphy: money has been there the ladt couple of years lambert and the board should also take a good look at themselfes
@James Moran: I thought Lambert and the board had done an amazing job turning the club around. Careful what you wish for as a football fan. Form is temporary and Bohs are in a great place now.
Soccer is all about money. He developed great players who left for better money elsewhere.