Keith Long exclusive
Keith Long has backed Evan Ferguson to reach very top in the Premier League and believes the former Bohemians man is crucial to the next Ireland manager. While Long was in charge with Bohemians he gave Evan Ferguson his debut against Derry City in 2019. “Evan was a big talent and we had a partnership with St Kevins which enabled Evan to come through”, said ex Bohemians manager. Evan Ferguson joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021. “ Evan was always going to go on and play at the highest level of the game”, said Long. Evan Ferguson scored his first ever Premier League hat-trick against Newcastle in 2023 and has recently signed a new contract until 2029 with Brighton. “It’s no surprise that Evan is doing what he’s doing on the global stage in the Premier League”, said Waterford manager.
Robbie Keane is Republic of Ireland’s highest goal scorer with 68 and have struggled to replace him since he retired in 2018. “Evan has a big future ahead of him hopefully go on to have a massive career in the Premier League and also for Ireland”, said Long. Evan Ferguson is only 19 years old but has already played eight times for Republic of Ireland senior team and scored three goals. “Evan will be important to any future Ireland manager”, said ex Bohemians manager.
Stephen Kenny’s time as Republic of Ireland manager came to an end after November fixtures against Netherlands and New Zealand. “Kenny has brought through a lot of young players in his time as manager”, said Long. Kenny’s successor has a good spine to work from with Gavin Bazunu in goal, Nathan Collins centre-half, Josh Cullen holding midfielder and Evan Ferguson as striker. “In terms of the next manager he has a platform a reasonable player pool in terms of players that have been blooded at International level”, said Long. In Kenny’s time as manager Ireland had nothing to play for at the end of 2022 World Cup and 2024 European Championships campaign due to losing the first couple of games. “You have to get results and be at the business end of competitions for Euros and World Cup”, said ex Bohemians manager.
Kenny gave 26 players their competitive debut while in charge with Ireland and Lee Carsley was successful with a young team as he won the U21 European Championships with England in 2023. “In terms of the next appointment there has been names been banded about some managers with experience some managers like Lee Carsley that has come through the FA in the UK managed the U21s been successful”, said Long. Republic of Ireland haven’t qualified for the European Championships since getting to the last 16 in France seven years ago. “We need to climb the rankings and we need to win some International matches”, said Waterford manager. In 2020 Republic of Ireland were ranked 34th in the FIFA Rankings and have dropped to 60th in the space of three years.
There was an attendance of 43,881 for the 2023 FAI Cup final. “Yeah the league is on a high at the moment all clubs are sold out week on week” Long believes that League of Ireland stadiums need to be a better standard. “Dalymount Park needs to be redeveloped we need the Finn Harps project the RSC Waterford’s ground has only two sides”.
An average of 151,000 people watched 2023 FAI Cup final on RTE. “From a viewership point of view if you have the stadium proper crowds proper atmosphere a decent product that will drive numbers that will drive people to watch it on TV”. The winners of SSe Airtricity League only get €110,000. “That’s going to require massive funding from clubs by the FAI by Government and we need to be ambitious for Irish football”.
Long played with Stoke City, Dundalk, St Patrick’s Athletic and Bray Wanders before retiring in 2005. Long started his coaching career with Bray before moving to Bohemians in 2014. “2021 best ever European run we had some brillant nights in the Aviva were we had 9,000 supporters and missed out on the FAI Cup final by a kick of a ball”, said Long. In Long’s first season they finished fifth with the lowest budget in the league, third in 2019, second in 2020 but was unsuccessful in achieving silverware especially losing to St Patrick’s Athletic in 2021 FAI Cup final. “It was disappointing not to deliver silverware but there was more highs than lows throughout my time at Bohemians”. Long is currently the manager of Waterford and achieved promotion to the SSE Airtricity Premier Division in his first season. “Yeah we are delighted and it’s a great achievement”.