Dec 19,2024
Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley said he was flattered to be linked with the vacant Millwall job but stressed that his son Josh's recovery from leukemia remained his top priority.
Bradley's side trained in Stamford Bridge this evening ahead of their final league phase game in the Conference League away to Chelsea, the Hoops arriving in London unbeaten and currently sixth in the table, with the top eight sides progressing directly to the last-16 phase.
While Rovers will almost certainly need a highly improbable win against the runaway competition favourites on Wednesday to remain inside the top eight, they are still guaranteed a seeded spot in the knockout play-off phase after what has a stellar campaign, which has included three wins and two draws.
In the midst of it all, the Hoops boss has attracted the interest of Championship clubs in England, with Bradley reported to be in the frame for the Millwall job following the sacking of Neil Harris during the week.
Bradley, who has previously attracted interest from Hearts and Hibernian and turned down an approach from Lincoln City in 2022, said he was flattered by the speculation but pointed out that his son Josh's cancer battle was his main priority.
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"I've made no secret that I want to challenge myself at the highest level. I've never shied away from that," Bradley told reporters at this evening's press conference.
"I've had a number of approaches in the last 18 months from clubs. But I've also made it very clear that my son has been battling cancer and that's been my number one priority. Thankfully, and hopefully, we're nearly finished that.
"It's really flattering to have that interest and clubs wanting to speak to you. But my son, my family and his illness comes before everything and nothing will ever change that.
"Do I want better myself and be the best manager I can be and challenge myself? Of course I do, 100 percent I do. But for that to happen, everything has to be right.
"I’ve said I’m 40, I’m not 60 thinking it has to happen tomorrow, I’m still developing, still learning, let’s see what the future holds for me."
"It's really flattering to have that interest and clubs wanting to speak to you. But my son, my family and his illness comes before everything"
Bradley, a Chelsea fan as a kid, trained with the club at the age of 10 before eventually opting to sign for Arsenal as a youth team player, citing the lack of Irish players at Stamford Bridge at the time.
Nice memories. Chelsea was a club I was at from the age of 10. I trained here with some of their legends – (Roberto) Di Matteo, John Terry, Gianfranco Zola, that era. I remember them quite fondly. Brilliant times.
"At the time at Chelsea, there was no real culture of young Irish players there, and I didn't want to be the first one in a long time to do that so Chelsea were brilliant to me.
"I travelled to many tournaments, played with them a lot, yeah a lot of happy memories and it was a tough one at the time to turn them down.
"But Liam Brady at Arsenal was special at his job at that point in time, academy director.
"When you walk in and walk back up the steps, it all comes flooding back to you. Happy thoughts. It's a club I’ve supported since I was a boy so it’s a special night for all of us.
"We have played against some big teams and big individuals in the past. It’s not our first time and it won’t be our last.
"You’ve got to set up as a team, but you’ve also got to give certain individuals special attention because they’re special players.
"What we do know is that any XI they put out is going to be a really tough XI.
"You want to challenge yourself against the best and right now these are up there with the best around. The manager (Maresca) has come in and very quickly they have a clear identity how they want to play. It’s very clear they have a real culture now, which is very difficult to achieve."
With additional reporting: PA
