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New Dundalk assistant boss Alan Reynolds lands Ireland U21 role

Former Waterford manager Alan Reynolds has found himself a second job with his latest appointment...



New Dundalk assistant boss Ala...
Soccer

New Dundalk assistant boss Alan Reynolds lands Ireland U21 role

Former Waterford manager Alan Reynolds has found himself a second job with his latest appointment as the Republic of Ireland under-21 assistant manager.

Reynolds joins under-21 manager Jim Crawford's staff alongside fellow Waterford native John O'Shea ahead of the resumption of the UEFA under-21 European Championships qualifying campaign.

The news comes just over a fortnight after the 46-year-old was hired as the new assistant to Dundalk boss Vinny Perth, replacing Ruaidhrí Higgins who joined senior Ireland manager Stephen Kenny's backroom team.

Reynolds resigned at Waterford last month after a spell of nearly four years in charge at the RSC and it is that experience that Crawford is hoping he can tap into.

"Alan is a brilliant addition to the coaching staff and I'm delighted to have him on board as he will bring a wealth of experience to the position," said Crawford.

"He has achieved fantastic success during his playing and coaching career, having managed at an early age, and achieved promotion with Waterford in 2017 and a fourth-placed finish the season after.

"Also, the apprenticeship he has served as an assistant is really important having worked with Stephen (Kenny) in the past.

He has a great understanding of Stephen's philosophy that we're trying to bring in across the senior and Under-21 teams.

"We're an extended staff of the senior set-up and with John O'Shea having played with Keith Andrews and Damien Duff in the past, and me and Alan having worked with Stephen, it's fantastic to build such an experienced coaching staff across the two teams."

Reynolds joins Crawford and his team at a crucial juncture in the qualifying campaign in which Ireland have just three matches left to play.

Kenny steered them them to the top of Group 1, three points ahead of Italy who have two games in hand.

The young Boys in Green play an international friendly against Slovenia on 9 September before the remaining three qualifying matches against Italy, Iceland and Luxembourg in October & November.

The new assistant boss is looking forward to the challenge.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to come on board and really excited to join the staff. I've kept an eye on the qualifying campaign and the development of the team over the past year, and it's an exciting time for the team," said Reynolds.

"It's a really exciting group of young players which are coming through and we're looking to keep the momentum for the remaining three matches of the campaign.

"It will be my first taste of international football and there will be tough matches but I'm excited to get the chance to represent my country.

"It's important to keep my eye in, coaching day-to-day, with Dundalk and I really believe it is something which will benefit the Under-21s. It's an exciting opportunity and can't wait for the football to restart soon."

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Alan Reynolds Dundalk FAI Jim Crawford John O'Shea Republic Of Ireland Republic Of Ireland U21 UEFA U21 European Championship