Sligo Rovers manager John Russell(Image: INPHO/Tom Maher)

Huge boost for League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers as contract extension is confirmed

League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers have awarded manager John Russell a two-year extension to his current deal.

12 Oct 2024, 13:21 by Mark McCadden · Irish Mirror

John Russell’s reward for keeping Sligo Rovers in contention for European football well into the closing stages of this season is a new two-year deal.

With four games remaining, the Bit O’ Red are sixth in the table, but are just four points off third place, while a fourth placed finish would also secure a Europa Conference League spot next year if Derry City beat Drogheda United in the FAI Cup final.

The new deal sees Russell remain in the Showgrounds hotseat until the end of the 2026 campaign.

A former Rovers player, who won two FAI Cups with the club, Russell took over as manager in the summer of 2022 after serving as assistant to former boss Liam Buckley for three-and-a-half seasons.

He is the only manager to guide the club through two rounds of European competition in one season.

Russell said: “I’m absolutely delighted to extend my contract at the club. We have made really good progress this season.

“I feel myself and the staff have created a really good environment for our players to develop, improve and play with confidence. We want to win, but we want to win by playing an attractive, attacking brand of football, while continuing to promote from within our academy.

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“I understand our club model but that does not mean we cannot be competitive. We need to continue to be innovative in how we operate. I’m excited for the challenge ahead and I am determined to bring success to this football club.”

Earlier this week, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers praised Rovers after his Celtic side’s last-gasp friendly win at the Showgrounds. He also commented on Rovers’ chase for European football next season.

“It was a really good exercise for us, and a lot of our senior players got 90 minutes in, which was great.” said Rodgers.

“It’s excellent for us to be able to come out to Ireland. You see with Sligo, it was a great little test for us in how they played and worked. You can see why Sligo are a top-six team in the League of Ireland. They’ll be fighting for European football, and are at a good level of fitness.”

Sligo Rovers chairperson Tommy Higgins welcomed the contract announcement, saying: “We're over the moon to have secured terms with someone who knows this club inside out.

“John has proven himself as one of the top young managers in the country and is someone we feel can really take this club forward.

“He has produced some really striking results on the pitch and has made the squad really competitive in what is the tightest season of League of Ireland football in recent memory.

“We are looking forward to seeing how far John can take us.”

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