Athlone Town have moved swiftly to replace departed first team manager, Paul Doolin, with the appointment of Martin Russell to the position on Tuesday morning.
In a statement issued by the League of Ireland First Division club, the board of management stated their delight to announce that Martin Russell had agreed to become the Athlone Town men’s senior team’s manager for the 2022 season.
‘Martin is a well-known and highly respected figure in Irish football circles as both a coach and a former player and the deal to bring him to the club was finalised following talks between the parties over the last few days.
‘The board of Athlone Town AFC was keen to move quickly and have a new manager in place as soon as possible, after Paul Doolin opted not to continue in the role.
‘The club believes that bringing in somebody with Martin’s extensive coaching experience and reputation as manager will benefit all concerned with Athlone Town AFC as we prepare for next season’s First Division competition.
The club hopes that all who are associated with. and support the team will get behind Martin and his squad, before, during and after the 2022 season kicks off.
He has previously managed teams including UCD, Bray Wanderers and Limerick in the League of Ireland and has also served as both a player and assistant manager with St Patrick’s Athletic.
‘The holder of UEFA Pro license he has in recent seasons been involved in coaching players on Maynooth University’s scholarship programme.
‘During his playing career Martin had stints at clubs including Norwich, Leicester City. Birmingham City, Scarborough and Middlesbrough in England, having initially joined Manchester United as an apprentice. He also featured for a very successful Portadown side in the Northern Irish League during the 1990s.
‘He was also capped at underage level, including U21 and ‘B’ level for Ireland and was part of the Irish U18 squad that finished fourth in the 1984 European Champions and the 1985 World Youths Championship Finals.’
Upon his appointment, Russell noted the potential for the club and has turned his immediate focus towards the 2022 season.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Athlone Town AFC as its men’s first team manager. With the potential the club has, I am determined to make Athlone Town AFC as successful as possible in 2022,” Russell asserted.
