Bradley prepared to lobby politicians but not keen on FAI's 'coalition of voices' route

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley. Pic: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Stephen Bradley is prepared to lobby politicians for state funding but not so keen to do so within the FAI’s proposed ‘coalition of voices’.

The Shamrock Rovers manager has been a vocal critic of the FAI, unconvinced about the leadership that’s about to lose its chief football officer, Marc Canham.

Bradley was particularly scathing on their handling of Colin Healy’s departure from the women’s team management in December, just months after his wife Kelly’s death.

“They don’t understand Irish people and football,” he said recently. “For too long, they’ve been allowed to treat us like that and it needs to stop.” 

Bradley confirmed he has no interest in replacing Canham, who submitted his notice to quit on Monday, and if he’s to sell Ireland’s need for academy investment to the Government, going direct appears to be his preferred method.

FAI chief executive David Courell outlined their plan to involve influential figures such as managers in their final pitch for €8m-per-annum grant aid ahead of the October Budget.

Only recently, Bradley revealed personal invites from TDs to Leinster House.

Confirming no approach from the FAI, he’s prepared to stick to his original route.

“I’m very thankful for that direct offer and will take it up when the schedule allows,” he explained.

“I think it shows they want to learn by taking us in.” 

More vitally, Bradley asserts that Canham’s successor must be equipped with the temperament and nous to act as a unifying force.

The Hoops boss politely declined to offer an appraisal of Canham’s three-year term but it was noteworthy how Courell indicated 24 hours earlier they’d be seeking a candidate that can bring people with them.

“They must understand the landscape of Irish football and where it is; more importantly understand where the Government is and the feelings towards everything surrounding releasing that funding,” the four-in-a-row title-winning manager said about this critical juncture.

It’s believed the fragmented nature of the Irish game perplexed former English FA and Premier League coaching manager Canham, a similar grievance Roy Barrett aired during his swansong as FAI chairman, but Bradley insists the construct is one the successful contender must learn to navigate.

“Irish football is like no other,” he affirmed.

“The landscape is completely different to any other nation because of the factions around the country.

“If someone doesn’t understand that and thinks they can pay lip service by just washing over it, then that’s not this country.

“Other countries work that way but we’re unique in how we operate. All of that deserves to be shown respect by the new person.

“I’m sure decisions have to be made that won’t make everybody happy, as before, and that’s fine but conversations must be had and the factions listened to.” 

Another eventful week in Irish football was difficult to ignore for Bradley despite Rovers being wounded from dropping five points across the Easter weekend double-header.

Late concessions at St Patrick’s Athletic and at home to Bohemians curbed the pace they’d accelerated into from three wins on the trot.

Damien Duff’s champions visit what’s expected to be a near sell-out of 10,500 at Tallaght Stadium on Friday with the title race wide open approaching the one-third stage.

"You can have a weekend when you should have six points and we have one, so improve on that aspect and we'll be fine,” he rationalised about their slip.

“We don't look at games like this against Shelbourne, thinking we have to go there and get that.

"If you look at any sports, successful teams and organisations don't do that.” 

Duff trumpeted the calibre of former Celtic trainee Kerr McInroy as the best LOI midfielder but Bradley is more than content with his playmaker, the Cork native he brought back from Belgium in pre-season to ignite their bid to regain the title.

"Sometimes Damien can get a bit carried with his comments,” said the smiling Hoops chief. “He can get a little bit emotional with his comments but if he wants to believe that, then we'll let him believe that.

“We were very clear that Matt Healy was the midfielder that we wanted for quite some time so we'll just focus on our players.”