Waterford’s Shocking sacking of Keith Long: A Mistake Too Soon?
Waterford FC’s decision to part ways with manager Keith Long has left many in the Irish soccer fraternity scratching their heads. The Blues’ sudden move comes amidst a sequence of poor results, including a 4-0 thrashing by Sligo Rovers and a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Cork City, but it’s the timing that’s raising eyebrows.
“I don’t think that was the best decision from Waterford to let a manager like Keith Long go.” – Richie Towell
Former Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Richie Towell, speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, contested Waterford’s decision, given Long’s history with the club. Long guided Waterford to promotion via the play-offs in 2023 and kept them in the Premier Division last season.
Long’s Impact and the Current Crisis
Long’s tenure at Waterford was marked by steady progression. He took over in 2023 and, despite the club’s multi-club ownership model with English side Fleetwood Town, steered them to back-to-back memorable campaigns.
However, this season has been a struggle. Waterford finds itself in the relegation zone, conceding nearly two goals per game on average. They sit 11th in the 12-team SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, with seven successive defeats.
Was the Timing Right?
With Long’s departure coming before the club’s first win of the season, the question lingers: was this the right time to pull the plug? Towell believes there’s more to consider:
- Long’s intimate knowledge of the league and the Waterford squad.
- The difficulty of turning around a slumping side midseason.
- The influence of ownership on player recruitment and retention.
“Listen, they’re in a really difficult place … if there is a manager that can probably get you out of that position, I would have thought it would’ve been him.” – Richie Towell
The Next Steps for Waterford FC
Waterford now faces an uphill battle to avoid relegation. With Long gone, the club is reportedly considering Ruadhri Higgins as his replacement. But as former Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers defender Graham Gartland pointed out:
“What’s success for Waterford? Staying in the division again? … But if you keep taking their best players away, it’s hard to build on that.” – Graham Gartland
Looking Ahead
Only time will tell if Waterford’s decision to part ways with Long was a wise one. For now, the Blues must regroup, rally, and push for victories to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Fans and pundits alike will be keeping a keen eye on the club’s fortunes in the coming months.
Join the conversation here and share your thoughts on Waterford’s decision to sack Keith Long.
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