Former Mayo boss James Horan has explained that the current demands of inter-county management are driving managers away from the game.
Horan guided Mayo to consecutive All-Ireland finals in 2012 and 2013 but stepped down from the role after this. He returned to the Mayo fold for a second time but once again stepped down from his post in 2022.
Speaking on the Irish Examiner Gaelic football podcast, the Mayo native explained the difference between his two spells in charge. Horan explained that because of the changes that have come into the game, it is now increasingly difficult for managers to succeed in the modern game.
"It was a completely different vibe. Different and more difficult," said Horan about his first Mayo stint.
"The inter-county manager is a tough gig now. I sense there are fewer people willing to put themselves forward because of time, the impact on family, yourself, your mental well-being, your job—the impact is total.
"There are fewer people who meet that profile now. It is getting tougher for managers."
Mayo manager James Horan celebrates with Aidan O'Shea (Image: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty)Many inter-county stars, if not all, have to balance work with the GAA, and some managers have to also balance the same dynamic. Horan explained the current system isn't sustainable.
“I don’t think it is sustainable. What is needed now—the coordination, the time, the prep, the one-on-ones, the backroom team, the key stakeholders that need to be part of it—it is an industry now. You, as manager, are central to it.
“You are dealing with 40 players, or with academies with a player pathway to make it sustainable. To do all of that properly, with the expectations players rightfully have—they are ambitious and want the right setup and the best chance to be successful.
Horan also does not believe that it is possible to balance both and that it comes down to choosing one or the other, and this is why a lot of retired people go into the game.
"For an inter-county manager starting out his work career, the impact on that would be huge.”
“To answer your question, the commitment and time needed—it is absolutely full-time. That is why you’ve seen retired people go into inter-county management.”
An interesting opinion nonetheless.
