After a dysfunctional few weeks in Mayo, the ambition within the county now is to get things back on track and appoint a successor to Stephen Rochford. One of the candidates for that position is one of his predecessors: James Horan.
The Mayo News reported today that Horan is one of two men nominated by clubs for the role, the other being Michael Solan. Both are the only names nominated for the role, and given the deadline to nominate putative managers passed at lunchtime yesterday, it is expected that either of them will get the role.
Horan, of course, coached Mayo between 2011 and 2014 and won four Connacht titles and made back-to-back appearances in All-Ireland finals, losing to Donegal in 2012 and the Dubs in 2013.
Since stepping away, he has assumed a wide portfolio of media commitments and last year took charge of Westport. Solan, meanwhile, is from Ballaghaderreen and coached Mayo to the under-21 All-Ireland title in 2016, and coached the Mayo minor side to the All-Ireland final in 2018. His brother Barry works as a strength and conditioning coach with Arsenal and has previously been involved with the senior set-up under Rochford.
Both candidates are set to be interviewed for the job over the coming weeks.
