STEPHEN O’DONNELL has made a swift return to football as Bohemians assistant boss.
O’Donnell has been brought in by Alan Reynolds as his no 2 a month to the day since he was fired by Dundalk after they failed to win any of their first eight matches of the season.
It sees him return to Dalymount Park where, as a player, he won a League and FAI Cup double in 2008 when the current Director of Football Pat Fenlon was manager.
O’Donnell, 38, said: “I can’t wait to get cracking. I’ve always had a good relationship with Alan, and the stars aligned in recent weeks with me leaving Dundalk and with Alan looking for a permanent assistant manager.
“I’ve great memories of my time here as a player, and I believe I’ve gained a lot of experience in my 18 years in the league as a player and a manager.
“I’ve watched from afar as Bohs have grown over the past number of years, and you can feel the potential that there is at the club.
“There is great scope to build on that potential here and to be successful under Alan. We have a lot of hard work to do to make that happen and that is a challenge I am really looking forward to being a part of.”
After two seasons with Bohs as a player, O’Donnell went on to play for Cork City and Galway United but is best remembered for his stints with Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk.
He won league titles and qualified for the group stages of the Europa League with both. After joining the coaching staff at Dundalk, he left to become St Pat’s boss in August 2019.
He led the club to FAI Cup success in 2021 before making an immediate and acrimonious switch to Dundalk.
The Galway native led the club to European qualification in his first season in charge but was not helped by off-the-field upheaval with new club owner Brian Ainscough firing him after a poor start to the season.
His arrival in Phibsborough will see Trevor Croly concentrate on his primary role as manager of the under-20s.
Reynolds said: “Stephen will bring fantastic qualities to the club from the vast experience he has had in the league over many years as both a player and a manager in his own right.
“He has a fantastic approach to the game and we share similar beliefs on how the game should be approached. He’s a winner, and I am really looking forward to working with him.
“I also want to thank Trevor Croly who stepped up to assist me with the first team on a temporary basis since I came to the club.
“His experience and knowledge has been invaluable to me, and will remain invaluable as he brings players through from the Under-20s to the first team.”
Reynolds was hired in March following the sacking of Declan Devine just four games into the new campaign.
They have taken 13 points from his nine matches in charge.