Confirmed: Alan Reynolds takes over at Bohemians

NEW COLOURS: Alan Reynolds. Pic: Lorcan Doherty, Inpho

Alan Reynolds has this morning taken over the managerial reins at Bohemians. 

As widely reported in recent days, Jim Crawford's Ireland under-21s assistant would take over at Dalymount Park once he wrapped up his international commitments.

Reynolds, 49, had been with the under-21s for last Friday's European Championship qualifier win against San Marino.

Waterford native Reynolds - who will take his first training session on Wednesday morning - has targeted a return to the heights of European football for the club. 

“This is a massive club with a passionate fan base," he said. "It’s a massive challenge but it is the right one for me and at the right time, and I can’t wait to get cracking.

“Straight away when contact was made, I was very interested. Over the past few years, I’ve had different opportunities to get back into management but this is the one that feels right.

“There is huge potential here. When Bohs teams give the fans something to cheer about, this club’s supporters are electric, and make it a real hostile atmosphere for opponents both home and away."

Reynolds continued: “I went to the Aviva Stadium when Bohs were on the European run in 2021. There were 8,000 Bohs fans at the game because if Covid, but it felt like there was 30,000. 

"That has always stuck with me. The fans were unbelievable, and the team responded. That’s what we want to achieve here again.

“Over the years I have been involved in the league, it has been the same in Dalymount. 

"When you are out on the pitch preparing for a game, you can feel the energy of the place and that is something that any player should thrive off.”

Welcoming Reynolds to Dalymount Park, Bohemian director of football Pat Fenlon added: “We are delighted to bring Alan to the club. He is highly respected throughout the league for his ability as a coach and manager.

“Throughout his career as a manager and as a coach, Alan has shown a consistent ability to get the very best out of players and to help teams fulfil their potential, so we are delighted to have him on board. It’s the right time for Alan and it is the right time for the club.

“I have worked with Alan in the past. He played under me when I was manager at Shelbourne, and we worked very well together as manager and director of football at Waterford as well, so I know the qualities and drives he brings to teams, and we are really looking forward to him getting started here.”

Declan Devine departed Bohemians just four games into their Premier Division season, with Derek Pender taking charge on an interim basis in the time since.

Reynolds - most recently employed as former Gypsies boss Keith Long's assistant at newly promoted Waterford - was previously linked to the Bohs' job, as recently as 2022, while on the staff at Derry City.