Manager Neil McDonald leaves Limerick to take up assistant role at Scunthorpe United

Limerick have announced that manager Neil McDonald has left his role as first team manager to take up a role as assistant manager at League One club Scunthorpe United.

 

Limerick received an official approach from the fourth placed League One club and, having consulted with McDonald, allowed him to hold talks with the Lincolnshire-based side.

 

The former Blackpool manager has been appointed as number two to Graham Alexander, replacing Chris Lucketti who was appointed manager of Bury in November.

 

McDonald is a former assistant to ex-Limerick boss Sam Allardyce and had been in charge of the Blues since taking over from caretaker boss Willie Boland in May.

 

Taking over the club in sixth position in the table, McDonald successfully guided the club to Premier Division survival with a week to spare.

 



“I had a fantastic time at Limerick even though it was a short period,” McDonald told the Blues' official website.

 

“I came to do a specific job; to help the club maintain its Premier status, to thin the squad out as it was top-heavy and to give the young players a chance – I’d like to think that I achieved all three.

 

“Limerick will always be my club in Ireland; I will watch them every chance I get and hope that they do very well, which I’m sure they will. I had a great time and I wish the club the best of luck.”

 



Speaking to Scunthorpe's website, McDonald added: “I’m really pleased to be here. I’ve been speaking to Graham (Alexander), I’ve seen the team a couple of times and have been impressed.

 

“I’m here to help, to try and improve everybody - not just the football side, but the staff as well. I’m here to progress the football club and hopefully help get the club to where they want to get to.

 

“It’s an exciting time for me. This was an opportunity that came around and one that I couldn’t turn down. Getting back into the English game is what I wanted to do.”

 

“My main aim is obviously on the coaching field itself in trying to help the players to improve. I’ve got lots of knowledge and experience on how to handle players at all different levels.

 

“I’ve got everything on my CV, from a youth team coach through to being a manager. I know how to treat people, how to get on with people, how to try and improve the player and that’s what football is all about.”

 

Limerick chairman Pat O'Sullivan said: “The club and myself are naturally disappointed to be losing Neil at this time.”

 

“However, when an opportunity like this is presented to your manager, where there is potential for him to be in the English Championship next season, Limerick FC is more than happy to fully back Neil and support him in taking up this position.

 

“It is also a compliment to Limerick FC that even though Neil has only been with us a short time, that his work has been rewarded with this very positive opportunity in his career. We thank Neil for his contribution to Limerick football in his time here.

 

“We also thank Neil for his help in the development of our young players, which brought about a rare opportunity for a League of Ireland club to have one of its players trialled at one of the top English Premier League clubs – that is a compliment to Neil’s managerial ability.

 

“In mentioning that, I must note the terrific work being done with our young players by our coaches throughout the club, in the first team and Academy structure.”

 

Limerick commenced pre-season training today, which was overseen by Eric Kinder, who remains at the club having worked as assistant to McDonald.

 

The club will also explore its options and in due course will confirm a new permanent management structure for the 2018 season which kicks off on February 17th.

 

The club have also provisionally arranged four pre-season friendlies, including two at the Markets Field later this month, which will be announced once FAI clearance is confirmed.

 

The club will update their supporters on developments throughout pre-season, as the squad-building process continues ahead of their first warm-up match in just over a fortnight’s time.