Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has detailed why he turned down the chance to become Hibernian's new head coach, explaining to reporters on Wednesday that he could not abandon his players and supporters with just five games left in a live League of Ireland title race. The 41-year-old Dubliner had been the leading contender for the Easter Road vacancy before Scottish club Hibernian appointed Marink Reedijk instead last month.
Why Bradley turned his back on Hibernian
Speaking today, Bradley confirmed that talks had taken place, but decided he could not go through with the prospective switch. He said the timing, with the League of Ireland season entering its final stretch, made the decision impossible to justify to himself.
Asked directly about the collapse of the move, Bradley was blunt about what stopped him. “When it came down to it, I genuinely don’t think I could look at the players, the fans, the club and walk out the door with five games left,” he said. He added that he weighed up the emotional cost of leaving before deciding against it, insisting that regardless of what happens in these five games, if he had gone through with the move he could not come back and watch a game in years to come and feel proud of himself.
A loyalty Bradley could not break
Five games and a legacy on the line
Bradley also revealed that the interest from Hibs reached a serious stage and that he consulted his family before pulling back. The interest from Hibs, he added, was “at a serious point” and he spoke to his family, among others, about it, before taking himself away from it at a critical moment. Rovers midfielder Matt Healy admitted the squad had been aware of the speculation throughout, saying the players were following the story like everyone else on their phones.
Chasing a sixth title in seven seasons
The context explains why the decision carried so much weight. Bradley's late-season departure would have added an unusual twist to what is shaping up to be a thrilling title race, with Rovers chasing a sixth league win in seven seasons. The champions have spent recent weeks locked level with St Patrick's Athletic at the top, with Bohemians also firmly in contention, meaning any disruption to the dugout could have proven costly.
Hibernian's search goes elsewhere
Hibernian had turned to Bradley as a leading candidate after parting ways with previous boss David Gray following a poor start to the season, with sporting director Malky Mackay overseeing the recruitment process. However, Hibs turned their attention away from the Dubliner when it became apparent that he wasn’t prepared to leave Rovers straight away to make the move to Edinburgh. The Scottish club eventually appointed Dutch coach Marink Reedijk, closing the chapter on a saga that had rumbled on for weeks during the international window. The episode echoes other recent cases of managers facing exit speculation mid-season, including the pressure Michael Carrick has faced at Manchester United, where boardroom backing became the central question.
What comes next for Rovers
A game in hand against Drogheda
With the Hibernian saga now settled, Bradley's full focus returns to Tallaght Stadium, where Rovers play their game in hand against Drogheda United on Thursday. The champions go into the fixture sitting third but level on points with leaders St Patrick's, knowing a win would move them top of the table regardless of how their rivals fare at the weekend. Rovers return to league action for the first time since beating Waterford before the international break, a result that steadied nerves after a dip in form.
Where to watch
Kick-off at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin is scheduled for 20:00 on Thursday, with the match broadcast live in Ireland on Virgin Media Two and Virgin TV Go. Drogheda arrive out of form, having lost their most recent outing to Bohemians, though they head to Tallaght on the back of two earlier wins over Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne.
For Bradley, the week represents a reset after weeks of speculation. Having chosen to stay loyal to the group he has led to multiple League of Ireland titles over the past decade, his immediate task is straightforward: turn a game in hand into three points and keep Rovers' championship defence on course going into the closing weeks of the season.