Alan Reynolds, Stephen O’Donnell and Derek Pender sign new Bohs deals

“I am delighted that Alan, Stevie and Derek have committed their futures to the club," club president Matt Devaney told the club's official website.

BOHZ DEALZ: Bohemians have announced that Alan Reynolds has signed a new contract to remain on as manager, along with his assistant manager Stephen O’Donnell and his coach Derek Pender. Photo by Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

Bohemians have announced that Alan Reynolds has signed a new contract to remain on as manager, along with his assistant manager Stephen O’Donnell and his coach Derek Pender.

Reynolds was initially appointed manager in March 2024 before he was joined by Stephen O’Donnell, a double winner with the club in 2008, two months later, and then Pender, who has been with the club for 13 years as a player, club captain, U17s manager and, most recently, first-team coach since 2021.

Bohs are currently second in the Premier Division table, nine points behind rivals Shamrock Rovers despite having played a game more.

Speaking after the trio penned their new contracts to remain at Dalymount Park until the end of the 2027 season, club president Matt Devaney insisted it was the right time to tie down their futures to the club.

“I am delighted that Alan, Stevie and Derek have committed their futures to the club," Devaney told the club's official website.

“All three have really bought into what we are trying to achieve as a club, and are determined to build on the progress made this season.

“The management team came in during a tough period last season, but their perseverance and dedication has given the club the platform to compete at the right end of the table.

“Now is the right time to extend their contracts so that we can work together and plan ahead. I firmly believe that the hard work being done by Alan and the staff around him over the past 18 months will stand to the club as we look to consolidate and build upon those foundations in the seasons to come.”

In a lenghty statement, Reynolds added: “I am delighted to extend my contract at Bohs and to do so with a brilliant team of Stevie and Detser alongside me.

“When you look to build a backroom team, you want staff you can trust, who are loyal, who are ambitious, and who bring knowledge and experience to what we are trying to achieve. Stevie and Detser have all of that in spades, so I’m over the moon that we will be continuing to work together.

“Taking the job in the first place was one of the biggest honours of my career. I had other opportunities to get back into management but Bohs was the club that felt right. 

“It is without doubt one of the toughest jobs in the country but it’s tough for the right reasons. This is a club steeped in history and tradition. That’s important to me, I want to be a part of that history and tradition, and I want to be at a club where there is ambition and where there is pressure. 

“As a player coming to play in Dalymount, it was always one of the toughest places to go. We have had a couple of magic nights already in Dalymount and on the road this season, and they are the kind of nights we strive to have every time we take to the pitch.

“The supporters demand success and that’s what I demand of our staff and players as well. We had a tough start but I have had great backing from the board and the staff at the club, and the players have never stopped believing and have bought into what we are about.

“I also feel we have continued to strengthen the squad in every transfer window we have had. That has not been easy in the market we are operating in and the resources we are up against, but with the support I have had from the board, and the hard work of the Director of Football and staff, we have been able to identify and bring in some quality players in key positions, as well as developing and bringing through young players from our academy system.

“We know we have more work to do but I hope and believe that we have shown the members and supporters of this club what we are capable of over the past few months, and what we are all working towards achieving.

“We have a massive two months ahead of us now. After a difficult start to the season, we have worked so hard to give ourselves a platform. The challenge for us is to stay there, and work hard and have the belief and courage required to stay there.

“We all need to pull in the same direction as a club - staff, players and supporters because this is a really competitive league, and a really competitive season. “We know there can be bumps on the road, so we all need to give absolutely everything of ourselves for the remainder of the season to get where we want to be. 

“So my message to our fans is that I am incredibly proud to lead and manage this team. Stick with us and get behind us, and together we can get this club back where we belong."