James Horan: 'I won’t be going for the Mayo manager position. It is time for something different'

Former Mayo manager James Horan has ruled himself out of a return to the county hot seat as they begin their search to replace Kevin McStay.

McStay was relieved of his role as senior football manager last month and local media had speculated that Horan would seek a return for a third spell.

The former Mayo player was first appointed in 2010 and led the county to successive All-Ireland finals in 2012 and 2013 before stepping away a year later.

He returned in 2018 and again led the team to All-Ireland finals in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, he stepped down.

Speaking on the Irish Examiner podcast , Horan said he won’t be in the running for the role and has spoken to the Mayo chairperson to confirm this.

“I won’t be going for the Mayo manager position,” he said.

“Not at all. It is not for me. I had a go at that and I think it is time for Mayo to look at someone different or something different. I’m just a supporter and happy in that position, going to the games with my young fella, cheering them on.

"Where I am at the moment, I’ve had a chat with Seamus Tuohy on that just to clear it up, because I don’t even want my name associated with it in case there is any confusion. Absolutely not.”

Meanwhile, Former Tyrone star Peter Canavan said it is still an attractive position, although he was strongly critical of the statement issued about McStay’s departure.

“The hunger and passion among their supporters for an All-Ireland, they are craving and crying out for it,” said the two-time All-Ireland winner.

“The fact they have been knocking on the door, I’ve a degree of sympathy for them but they just keep shooting themselves in the foot. Time and time again. They need a really strong character. They need another James Horan.

“They need someone who can pull the thing together but when they treat Kevin McStay in the manner that they did, how do they expect to get a good, homegrown talent like Andy Moran or somebody.

"Who would want to step into that position when you see someone like Kevin McStay being treated the way he was.

“It was just an unbelievable decision, I thought someone was winding me up when I heard the statement that came out. But in terms of potential, in terms of quality players, there is so much going right in Mayo.”

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