Weymouth bring in ex-Nott’m Forest, Bristol City, Bournemouth, Doncaster manager Sean O’Driscoll, who will join the club’s backroom staff.
The National League side have announced the addition on their official club website, with 64 year old linking up on a non-contract basis.
He was most recently working as head of coaching and learning for the Portsmouth’s academy, but he formally resigned from this role on 29 September 2021.
He has also been professional phase coach in Wolves Academy in 2017, was a Liverpool (assistant) in 2015 and was in charge of England U19 in 2014, so he’s got plenty of experience behind him.
Sean O’Driscoll joins Brian Stock’s Weymouth coaching staff https://t.co/vUSlFlKVYK
— Bournemouth Echo (@Bournemouthecho) December 15, 2021
CLUB STATEMENT:
Former AFC Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers manager, Sean O’Driscoll, has joined Brian Stock’s Terras backroom team on a non-contract basis.
Terras manager Stock captained O’Driscoll’s Doncaster side to League One play-off glory at Wembley in 2008 having also been part of his Bournemouth side that won promotion from League Two five years earlier.
O’Driscoll most recently held the role of Head of Academy Coaching at Portsmouth FC. Now, after relocating back to Dorset, he will assist his former skipper both on the training pitch and match days in a role to be defined by the Terras boss.
O’Driscoll said: “I’ve known and worked with Brian since he was 15. As a player he had great football intelligence and led by example with his performances. He is at the start of his coaching and managing career and if he wants to use me as a sounding board, as someone to challenge him or give him a different viewpoint on things I’m happy for him to do so.
Brian will determine where and how he thinks I can add most value. We’ve been through a lot together and he knows he will always get honesty from me and that I will always respect and back him for having the courage of his own convictions too. I’m looking forward to working with him again in whatever way he thinks I can help.”
Stock said: “I have known Sean since I joined AFC Bournemouth as an apprentice back in 1996, where I went on to play hundreds of games under his guidance.
“Sean has always been a coach that myself and many others have admired. His work ethic and ability to develop an understanding, whether for an individual or collectively as a team, is the best I’ve witnessed in the 24 years I’ve been involved in football.
He will bring a wealth of knowledge to our young playing squad and backroom staff for everyone to tap into having worked with some of the best up and coming talent in the country with England Under 19s, assisting Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool and managing many Football League games at the likes of AFC Bournemouth, Doncaster, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City, to name a few.
We have been through many highs and lows throughout the 15 years we have worked together and although I’m no longer crossing that white line as a player I’m delighted to be able to welcome a man of Sean’s calibre to Weymouth FC as part of my management team.”
Vice-chairman Paul Maitland had the following to say on the appointment:
“Following discussions with Brian and Sean over the past few weeks we believe the arrival of Sean will only enhance our management structure. Brian is and will remain responsible for all First Team duties. But the chance to add Sean, with the knowledge and experiences he possesses, will benefit the club as a whole.
Very rarely does an opportunity arise to recruit someone of Sean’s acumen to a club of our stature. This is testament to Brian that he has been able to convince someone of this ilk to help complement our backroom staff.”
O’Driscoll will be in the dugout for the Terras’ FA Trophy Sixth Round tie at Hungerford Town on Saturday (18 December).
Welcome to Weymouth, Sean!
Social media users reacted as Weymouth bring in the ex-Nott’m Forest, Bristol City, Bournemouth, Doncaster manager…
@TerraStatman: Excellent and exciting news. I can only see positives regarding this appointment. 👏
@jbartsofficial: A fantastic and needed appointment. Well done all! 👏
@MattWinter87: Best signing this season, let’s hope Sean’s input can turn things around and Brian can learn from his mentoring.
@Beastyb42183496: This is a proper signing.
@terrabulldan: Bit of a coup this, are we turning a corner?
@sholland1972: Interesting appointment, welcome back to Dorset Sean.
@itsmr0: Total football coming to the Bob Lucas. Though you’ve got to fear for any midfielder over 5ft 7″
@jamesswyer: I support Weymouth now.
@trickyterra: 👀 that is fantastic news should never have been sacked by #nffc on Boxing Day all those years ago #uptheterras
John Fournier: “Noisy” was excellent at Fulham as a player, one of the best Whites ever
Paul Dare: That’s good news, any help the manager can get can only be positive at the moment.
Paul Holmes: Very positive news Weymouth well done
Andy Wellsbury: Great news and really positive for the club moving forward 👏
Paul Cocks: Looks like a very good appointment. Welcome to WFC
Andrew Brown: Excellent appointment 👏
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