PRESSURE IS ALWAYS JOHN

Russell realises risk is all part and parcel of the job

- GARRY DOYLE

SLIGO Rovers manager John Russell has revealed the depth of strain League of Ireland managers suffer from.

While the profile of a League of Ireland boss is dwarfed by their counterparts in the Premier League, in reality the risks are higher.

Whereas any Premier League boss effectively buys a winning lotto ticket the moment he signs a contract to manage at the top level of English football, in the League of Ireland, there are no financial guarantees.

And two weeks ago, after a 3-0 loss to Cork City, Russell feared for his future.

He recalls: "There are huge pressures in this job. I have a young family, two young girls and if you lose your job, all of a sudden you have no wage coming in, but you still have a mortgage to pay.

"But look, I knew what I was getting myself into.