LOI boss won't be popular with his daughters after transfer window comments

Irish Daily Mirror

a day ago

Waterford boss John Coleman has come up with an unusual way to describe the ruthless nature of the transfer market.
Coleman is eager to strengthen his squad this summer - and that could be bad news for some of his current players.
However, the 62-year-old has grown attached to his Blues stars. So much so that he reckons replacing them would be similar to going out and looking for 'three better daughters.'
That's one aspect of squad strengthening that the devoted dad is not looking forward to.
'The window's open next week. I think every team will try and strengthen in this league. We'll try and be the same, try and get some reinforcements in,' said the former Accrington Stanley and Gillingham boss.
'But what I will say is I'm really proud of the squad I've got. The squad of players I've got, they give absolutely everything for the cause, for the Waterford jersey.
'I'm immensely proud of them, immensely proud of the way we conducted ourselves (in Friday's defeat to Shamrock Rovers).
'We didn't lose our heads and the way we played the game. I'm just disappointed that we didn't get anything, points-wise.'
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Pressed on his transfer window remark, he said: 'If you're a football manager, you need to continue to improve every aspect of your squad.
'And football's a really funny industry. You have lads who you become close to, they become like sons to you. But you always want to replace them with better.
'I sometimes think about my daughters. What would they feel like if I was thinking, 'I wish I had three better daughters'. I personally don't think I could get three better daughters. Well, I know I can't.
'I know I can't get three better daughters, but that's what I'm saying, the lads become like family to you, but you are always trying to get better. That's where the difference is.
'Every team's got to strengthen, but obviously we're not a Dublin club, so we can't afford the first pick, basically. In the draft, if we're going American terms, we can't have the first pick.
'What I will say is, we mightn't be rich in monetary value, but we're certainly rich in heart. You see the effort our lads put in every single week. I can't fault them.
'I'd like to just fine-tune it and improve in areas where we've got to be ruthless in front of goal, and probably a bit more ruthless defensively.'
Coleman went on to say that he was open to improving all areas of his team - and he added: 'Come to think of it, now I might look for a couple of daughters!'
At least he will have assistant manager Danny Ventre with him when he has to break the news to any of his current players that they are surplus to requirements.
Coleman brought the former Sligo Rovers midfielder in with him when he was appointed to the Waterford role in May.
They had to tag-team during Friday's game in Tallaght, with Ventre delivering most of the instructions onto the pitch against Rovers.
The rules allow just one member of the coaching staff to stand in the technical area at a time, and Ventre, more often than not, was that man.
'It's horrendous. This is a beautiful ground. Pitches are stunning. Great stadium. It's the worst vantage point ever on the bench,' said Coleman.
'You can only have one standing up. The fourth was great, actually. He was good fun. But he was like a Gestapo guard. We were never going to have a chance of escaping. So only one can stand up.
'Danny likes to try and affect the position of players on the pitch. When I go, it's more of a structure. Our playing as a team is when I stand up.
'I like to speak less so I'm heard more, if that makes sense. People listen more anyway.'