Former Dundalk boss Filippo Giovagnoli in line for shock League of Ireland return

He took over the then league champions after Vinny Perth was sacked amid claims of interference from the club’s hierarchy.

GUESS WHO'S BACK (MAYBE): Former Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli could be set for a League of Ireland return in one of the new academy director roles. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Former Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli could be set for a League of Ireland return in one of the new academy director roles.

In one of several bizarre decisions during the ownership reign of US-based Peak 6, the Italian was handed his first senior managerial job in 2020.

He took over the league champions after Vinny Perth was sacked amid claims of interference from the club’s hierarchy.

Although Giovagnoli only lasted nine months at Oriel Park, he oversaw the team’s FAI Cup triumph and a lucrative progression to the group phase of the Europa League.

Dundalk were fined €50,000 by Uefa for alleged ‘shadow coaching’ as Giovagnoli wasn’t permitted to be in the technical area due to lack of Pro License qualification.

Giovagnoli (55) has since worked as technical director at Swiss second division club Yverdon Sport FC but has emerged through the FAI’s first phase of interviews for the academy jobs.

Irish football broke new ground last October by being awarded €3m of State funding to kickstart a club-led academy model.

The grant, part of a multi-annual promise by the Government, is designed to equip clubs with the personnel and infrastructure to fulfil their remit of developing players in a post Brexit era whereby talent cannot join UK clubs until their 18th birthday.

The Department of Sport, through their agency Sport Ireland, have set strict qualification criteria.

In the first instance, the FAI invited applications in December for the vacancies of academy director and head of coaching.

Funding for the posts of €43,500 and €38,500 per annum respectively is available to each club for employing the staff on three-year contracts.

Those 54 interviews for the academy directors have concluded and it’s understood Giovagnoli has made the cut.

It’s believed the list also includes former Paris Saint-Germain youth coach Cédric Cattenoy.

Among the other successful candidates are ex-League of Ireland managers Keith Long, Stephen Henderson, Dave Rogers and Adrian Carberry.

Former Cork City captain Johnny Dunleavy is another to have hurdled the initial stage while ex-Wexford and CK United coach Yvonne McGrath is the sole female.

According to the League of Ireland, “candidates who successfully progress beyond Stage One will be required to participate in a further club-specific recruitment and selection process with the relevant League of Ireland Club(s) prior to any formal offer of employment.” Clubs must interview at least three members of the panel.

Initial grants are available from next month, but clubs can decide to delay recruitment until applications for the panel reopen in June.

Successful candidates will be employed directly by the respective League of Ireland club.

Another process is ongoing for the head coaching positions.

Full list of academy director panel:

Judan Ali, Willie Boland, Adrian Carberry, Cedric Cattenoy, James Dermody, David Dineen, Johnny Dunleavy, Thomas Elmes, Anthony Ferguson, Andrew Foley, Filipo Giovagnoli, Stephen Henderson, Keith Long, Scott Lowrie, Peter McDonnell, Yvonne McGrath, Darren Murray, Donagh O'Brien, Thomas O'Connor, Danny O'Leary, Paul Osam, Dave Rogers, David Rooney and Ebun Thomas.