Keith Long reckons there might have been some “revisionism” within the Bohemians support regarding his time at the club.
Long is back in management after a seven-month absence - and his latest job sees him tasked with trying to lead Waterford back to the Premier Division.
Long yesterday defended his record at Bohs, where he spent eight years in charge.
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“There might be a bit of revisionism going on there with certain supporters, potentially, or people around the place,” he said.
“There were lots of really good things; we finished second, we finished third, with the youngest teams in the country and one of the smallest budgets in the country.
“We didn’t quite challenge, we came short in a Cup final, we had Bohemians’ most successful run in Europe.
“So there were lots and lots of positives. And we did that sustainably.
“We brought young players into the club and many have transitioned to the SPL, one in the Premier League, a number in the Championship, lots in League One.
“So, we did that while losing our best players annually.
“Hopefully that’s not the case here (at Waterford), that we retain our best talent, that we have a pipeline and a pathway for our best talent, to keep them at the football club.
“You can’t compare, because they are two contrasting football clubs.
“Bohemians are doing exceptionally well at the moment, they are top of the table, lots of the foundations were put in place there over many, many years, down to many, many different people, and they are seeing the rewards of that right now.
“Hopefully, if I’m as successful here at Waterford, and success is not always measured by silverware, but this football club is very clear that they want to be ambitious.
“The ownership is ambitious, promotion is the goal for this campaign and then if we can achieve that, who knows what will happen?”
Waterford chairman Andy Pilley revealed that he brought Long to the RSC because he wanted a manager “with expertise of Irish football.”
He gave his view on what success would look like at the First Division promotion hopefuls.
“I think my vision as to success starts with the immediate, which is to get into the Premier Division. That’s the initial checkpoint.
“Once we are in the Premier Division I want to be very much the best version of a football club that we possibly can be, and that’s in all areas, in all departments.
“And I do feel that a club with the potential that Waterford has can be competing eventually right at the top of the Premier Division."
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