Richard O'Kelly

[Toronto Villa]

Rumour going around he was to be given an under 23 development role and decided not to take it so left.

Shabby way to treat him if true. Hopefully its bollocks and he just wanted to retire.

Is it? The club wants to progress and he was excellent in getting us this far. But it has been decided that in order to move forward we need maybe a different approach and an attempt was made to offer him a role within the club. It's harsh in a way but it's also the realities tied to the business and we need to act a certain way to move forward and compete at the top end. If you look at Man City, Man U, Chelsea etc see how many coaches have come and gone from there, let alone managers. While I don't want us to sell our soul to get to the top I also accept there will be some tough decisions if we are to get there.

[john2710]

There's an awful lot of people jumping to all sorts of conclusions, without justification.

Just ask yourself, in the last 3 season's have the club made good decisions? We're in the best hands possible.

If he was being moved, then I'm sure the club have good reasons. Otherwise it's as simple as a 64 year old bloke is retiring.

Anyway thanks Richard & best if luck.

[tomd2103]

Whichever way you look at it, a senior coach leaving 2 days before the start of the season is not a good thing.
I have no idea how important it is.

Agree.  It's the timing which raises questions really.  Surely if he wanted to retire or was being lined up for a new role, then that would have been sorted at the end of last season, and not 2 days before the start of the new season.

[Villafirst]

You can dress it up anyway you like, but the timing is so poor with 2 days to go before the new season is upon us. Perhaps DS can explain it in the press conference tomorrow? However, I doubt we'll get the full picture. This is not good on the back of JT's departure.

[Footy-Vill]

With Greaseball and his antics out the way training probably less stop start, more players actually getting a touch and a higher tempo of play, poor  Richard probably couldn't keep up.

[rooboy316]

There's an awful lot of people jumping to all sorts of conclusions, without justification.

Just ask yourself, in the last 3 season's have the club made good decisions? We're in the best hands possible.

If he was being moved, then I'm sure the club have good reasons. Otherwise it's as simple as a 64 year old bloke is retiring.

Anyway thanks Richard & best if luck.

I asked myself if the club as made good decisions in the last three years. The answer was yes. And I agree, we are in good hands and the owners deserve a lot of credit/benefit of doubt.

Doesn’t mean a) that every decision they make is a good one and b) that this particular instance was their decision to make

But yes, there is conjecture about what happened, because we don’t actually know what happened.

[ChicagoLion]

Whichever way you look at it, a senior coach leaving 2 days before the start of the season is not a good thing.
I have no idea how important it is.

Agree.  It's the timing which raises questions really.  Surely if he wanted to retire or was being lined up for a new role, then that would have been sorted at the end of last season, and not 2 days before the start of the new season.

exactly you don’t plan to lose a First Team coach now.

[sid1964]

I would imagine that Dean was aware of Richard's decision for some time.

[Demitri_C]

Rumours rumours and more rumours. No one really knows what happened

The timings poor but i have faith in smith and purslow to get a upgrade in as soon as possible.

Shakespeare has a massive role at the club now it seems. Id be more concerned if it were him leaving

[Drummond]

When Smith arrived it was him, O'Kelly and Terry.

Shakespeare and now MacPhee have joined and 2 have gone.

Square one.

[algy]

Best of luck & health to him, seemed a lovely chap from the few clips of him on video I'd seen. The timing is odd, but I guess personal circumstances don't always change at the most convenient time either.

[Flin5tone]

Hopefully we get some more information today. A coach who is very Friends with Dean and has been with him throughout his Career to leave so close to the big Kick Off is absolutely bizzare. 

[Clampy]

Hopefully we get some more information today. A coach who is very Friends with Dean and has been with him throughout his Career to leave so close to the big Kick Off is absolutely bizzare. 

A man leaving his job is not 'absolutley bizarre' at all. Don't be so ridiculous. Again.

[jwarry]

I suspect it’s all to do with Shakespeare flexing his muscles, leaving RoK and JT on the sidelines.  I see no problem with this if Deano thinks Craig is the man to take us to the next level.  It will be interesting to see if anyone else comes in as I’m sure they would be Craig’s choice

[brontebilly]

With Greaseball and his antics out the way training probably less stop start, more players actually getting a touch and a higher tempo of play, poor  Richard probably couldn't keep up.

Brilliant !