Seán Kavanagh has made the move from player to coach and joins Stephen Bradley’s staff at Shamrock Rovers ahead of the 2026 season.

Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie about the appointment, Stephen Bradley said:

What was the pathway that has seen Seán Kavanagh become the first team coach?

“It’s something we have spoken about with Seán for a long period of time. I felt for some time that this was the road Seán would go down. He has a brilliant football brain and has a really clear identity in how he wants to see the game. Seán has a very good opinion on the game and has always brought that to the dressing room and when we had our team meetings.

So, he was always one who stood out as someone who would be a coach. When we had a change in the last few weeks and when we had the conversation with Seán, I’m sure it wasn’t an easy one for him as he was still a player. So I think Seán has made the right decision and it’s a brilliant one for us, as he’ll add so much to our staff room. He’s also only stopped playing so he knows the dressing room. He’s also one of the ones who’s helped build the success that we’ve had. Seán has been a vital part of it on and off the pitch. So we’re absolutely delighted he has taken up the role.”

With Stephen McPhail having left the club at the end of the 2025 season, was the space in the dugout a factor in offering Seán the position?

“Yes, of course. With Stephen having some time away, that was definitely a factor. Stephen was obviously a big influence in the staff room and coaches room. Experience has taught us, it is a heavy load throughout the year in terms of preparing for and recovering from games. I think Seán will be a really welcome addition to help all the staff, especially Glenn and I.”

Seán has been with the club since 2018 and has served us with distinction as a player and a professional on and off the pitch. What attributes do you see in Seán as a coach?

“Seán has been with us since the start, he has helped build the success that we’ve had. It’s brilliant that he is now making that transition to a coach. He understands the club, the team and the dressing room and how we do things. Seán’s understanding and vision for the game is really good. He has a very high football IQ and that was pretty clear to see the last number of years when we were having our team meetings. So this will be really good to have that insight from Seán in the staff room now.”

Seán Kavanagh also spoke to club media and had the following to say about taking on his new role:

You’ve joined the first team coaching staff at Rovers. What does it mean to you to take up this position?

“It means a lot, having played for the club and now to be going in as a coach and learning from Stephen Bradley and Glenn Cronin. It has meant a lot winning trophies with the club as a player and now I hope to carry that on as a coach.”

Injuries have plagued your last couple of seasons on the pitch at Rovers. Was this a factor in going down the coaching road or was coaching always an interest of yours to prolong your football career?

“It’s possibly a bit of both. I’ve always watched the game and thought that I could coach at some stage. But with not having played as many games as I would’ve liked over the last few years, it possibly was a factor in that. But I was given the opportunity to coach and I decided to go for it.

You know the players and the dressing room well, you’ve been with Rovers since 2018. What excites you most about becoming coach of the 2025 domestic double winners?

“The biggest thing for me is learning how Stephen and Glenn do it and learning new skills. I will learn more about myself off the pitch as well. I always knew where I was on the pitch, but now I’m going to be outside of the playing side. So I’m looking to learn and upskill with the coaching, so I’m really looking forward to it.”