After a disappointing end to Mayo's championship, rumours soon filtered out that there was dissent in the camp. Last week, the football panel carried a 27-7 vote of no confidence in the management and the hostilities later culminated in the resignation of joint managers Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly.
The next successor won't be clarified for a number of weeks but Corofin manager Stephen Rochford is already emerging as the clear favourite to step into the role.
Rochford's managerial credentials boasts an impressive record. In addition to guiding the Galway club to an All-Ireland club title this year, Rochford was also involved with the backroom teams of the Mayo minors and Sigerson Cup winners GMIT.
But despite the obvious support for Rochford, one former Mayo player seems slightly indifferent about his possible appointment. Speaking to The Irish Sun, Anthony Finnerty says that Rochford's appointment might suit the Mayo players to give them more space to dictate the running of the team.
Maybe they can manage themselves and maybe that’s what they want. They may want a weaker type of person that the players might have a bigger input into the whole thing.
Finnerty, who represented Mayo for 15 years, goes on to say that the lack of competition for the job leaves Rochford the only candidate worthy of filling the vacancy.
I’d let Stephen have a go. I just don’t see anybody else. He is lacking a little bit of experience but some people would say these players are very easily managed. There’s very few top managers out there. Jim McGuinness wouldn’t consider it for a minute. If Stephen is on for it, he’s the obvious choice.
He may be the obvious choice but that's one of that's hardly a ringing endorsement. If Finnerty's view of Rochford's management really is the case then we may well be back here in 12 months time.
