Shelbourne appoints John Russell as manager on July 13 2026

Shelbourne Football Club has appointed John Russell as its new manager, the club confirmed on July 13, 2026. The 41-year-old Galway native leaves Sligo Rovers, where he had served as manager since June 2022, to take charge of the 2024 Premier Division champions. Shelbourne paid a compensation package to secure Russell, who has signed a long-term contract at Tolka Park.

Russell succeeds Joey O’Brien, who departed the Dublin club last month. He takes over a Shelbourne side currently sitting fifth in the league table, with immediate challenges in the FAI Cup and upcoming Europa Conference League qualifiers. His first match in charge is scheduled to be an FAI Cup trip to face Kerry FC.

In a statement, Russell described the move as a privilege, calling Shelbourne one of the biggest clubs in Irish football. He expressed gratitude to Sligo Rovers for giving him his start in management and outlined his ambitions for his new role. "I understand the expectations that come with this role, and that’s exactly why I wanted this job," Russell said. "There is real quality within this squad, and I am looking forward to working with the players, helping them develop further, and building a team...