Since taking over as manager of Waterford on May 6, Graham Coughlan has overseen a remarkable turnaround for the team. When he arrived, the Blues were languishing at the bottom of the Premier Division with no wins in their first 14 games. In just three months, under his guidance, they have managed six victories out of 13 matches and reduced their losses to only three.
Coughlan's influence extends beyond the results on the pitch; it has also boosted Waterford’s goal-scoring capabilities. With a total of 25 goals scored in 13 games, the team now boasts one of the most potent attacking forces in the league. Key players like Tommy Lonergan and Padraig Amond have seen their goal counts increase dramatically under his leadership.
Amond had only three goals before Coughlan's arrival but has since netted six more, including a crucial goal in the FAI Cup. Lonergan, who was on four goals prior to Coughlan taking charge, has added ten more to his tally. These improvements have not gone unnoticed by the manager himself, who expressed his joy at working with such talented players.
The results speak for themselves: Waterford are now fifth in the league table, just six points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers. While Coughlan's contract is only until the end of the season, it seems clear that he has earned a longer-term deal to continue his work at the club.
Coughlan himself spoke about his passion for the job and enjoyment derived from working with such talented players. His words reflect both his commitment and the positive impact he has had on the team's morale and performance.
The league table since Coughlan’s arrival shows that Waterford have performed well, with 22 points collected under his leadership. This places them in a strong position to challenge for promotion, with only Shamrock Rovers having more points (23) over the same period.
