Slovenia Manager Sasa Kolman captivating mentor Jim McGuinness with his strategies
Fresh Take: The bond between Slovenia's Football Manager, Sasa Kolman, and Donegal Gaelic Football Manager, Jim McGuinness, has proven influential in Slovenia's upcoming Nations League clash against Ireland. Their friendship blossomed during McGuinness' tenure at Celtic's academy. In their last meeting, Slovenia handed Ireland a heavy 4-0 defeat, and Kolman attributed this success to the intel gleaned from McGuinness.
Kolman and McGuinness keep in touch via Whatsapp and share a bond that's as strong as it is unique. The duo maintains a friendly rapport, despite their limited conversations. Slovenia is on the brink of promoting to League A of the Nations League, requiring only a narrow victory to clinch the group.
Before the rematch in Cork, Kolman discussed their friendship and shared his admiration for McGuinness, expressing his disappointment when McGuinness returned to Gaelic football. However, he left the door open for a potential comeback to football.
Ireland, still the group favorites, must bring their A-game to counter Slovenia's spirited comeback. Kolman is confident, having anticipated Ireland's tactics during their last meeting, but he's quick to assert that players can't rely on repeated surprises. Instead, they'll adhere to their style of play and hope it propels them to victory.
Tune in to RTE2 and RTE Player to catch the Republic of Ireland vs Slovenia in the UEFA Women's Nations League on Tuesday from 5.30pm. Follow along on RTE's website and News app, or listen to commentary on 2fm's Game On.
If you're into football chat, don't miss the RTE Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Despite their busy schedules managing football teams in different leagues (European-leagues), Sasa Kolman and Jim McGuinness continue to maintain a unique bond via Whatsapp. Their shared passion for sports, specifically football, has led to Kolman expressing his admiration for McGuinness and his Gaelic football skills, even leaving the door open for a potential return to football management in the Champions League.
