EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.
That’s something Eoin Wearen has come to learn through his playing and coaching career.
The Shelbourne women’s manager is only 31, but has had an extremely colourful journey to date.
“You have to be prepared for whatever comes your way, especially in football,” he tells The 42.
“You don’t know… one phone call changes everything.”
From promising underage exploits in England, injury woes and League of Ireland success to a blossoming coaching career here and in the US, it has been a whirlwind for Wearen.
“It seems like a long time ago now, to be honest,” he reflects on his high-level playing days.
The Dubliner started out at St Kevin’s Boys, before making the move to West Ham United in 2011.
A former Ireland underage international, he worked under the likes of Sam Allardyce and Gianfranco Zola during his five-year spell across the water, but tore his ACL for the first time coming towards the end of his contract in a reserve game against Arsenal.
“I was 19, 20 at that stage, everything gets kind of flipped upside down. I felt like the best decision was to come back home. I had a few options in the league and came back to Bohs, had some great years at Bohs, played with Sligo, played with Glenavon up north, had a spell with Limerick as well.
“Loved my time as a player in the league and the great thing is that the league’s even improved since then, both the men’s side and the women’s side. The level of competition and the quality of the players and professionalism is improving. As we know, it still has a way to go.”
It’s exactly a decade now since Wearen returned. But a second ACL injury at 25 and a meniscus tear shortly afterwards ultimately forced him to think about life after football sooner than most.
“As a player, I always had one eye on the on the management piece and the coaching side,” he says.
“Three knee surgeries kind of made that decision for me at 27. At that stage I was player first, coach second, as I was doing my badges. I had to make that decision to flip it nearly.”
It was while completing his Uefa A Licence in 2019 that Wearen decided to really take the plunge and head Stateside. He was the youngest on the course by a long shot and was encouraged by his colleagues to pursue coaching abroad while he had no significant ties.
He was approached by a club in Texas. He knew his playing career was coming to an end, why not start the next chapter and prioritise coaching?
“At first, I was a little bit hesitant because it wasn’t always the plan, but after having a couple of calls and spending a few weeks going back and forth about what was going to be best for my future, I made the jump. It’s just a shame I went six weeks before Covid!”
Wearen pitched up in Dallas in January 2020. There, he was introduced to women’s football for the first time; his previous coaching education at St Kevin’s and Bohemians.
He worked with U13s to U19s in the Evolution SC Academy across 18 months, before moving to Chicago with the Liverpool FC International Academy, while he was also appointed head coach of Chicago City USLW (in the pre-professional women’s league).
He dabbled in semi-pro football himself, but coaching took precedence as he found a new path.
“America was my first taste of the women’s game and I was blown away by the standard and the athleticism. I done well in those roles, I felt like my personality suited the game and I was able to get the best out of players as a result.
“It’s difficult to get a full-time job in football in this country. By going to the States, I was coaching six days-a-week for most of the year, so you’re automatically going to be a better coach by spending that much time on the grass. It was a great experience for me.”
What about the football differences between here and there?
“I think tactically here players are better,” he says. “I’ve tried to explain to people, I think football and soccer are nearly two different sports!
“And that goes for boys and girls over there, they play the game but they don’t necessarily watch the game or study the game the way that kids here would. It’s a different type of upbringing.
“Technically, you can get good players anywhere. Physically is where they’re a little bit stronger. But I think that’s more down to the contact time and the hours, just the way it’s set up with high school soccer and club soccer transitioning into college soccer, which is more or less full-time.”
Wearen returned home with an “open mind” given the uncertain landscape of the football industry, but fortunately, opportunities arose for him to work in the game full-time.
He initially landed a position in the Shelbourne Academy last summer, before taking charge of the women’s team in November. They are unbeaten in all competitions under his watch. Wearen balances his Shels commitments with his day job at the DBS Academy, running their full-time transition year programme.
“It’s difficult balancing the two roles at times, but it’s great because, on one hand with the DBS role, you’re focusing on teenagers and development, whereas here, it’s very much about getting three points on a Saturday.
“I like the balance of the two. Really fortunate, I know there’s a lot of people around the country that would love to be doing what I’m doing every day and being on the pitch. It’s 24/7 football, that’s my life.”
It’s difficult to switch off at times, but Wearen wouldn’t have it any other way.
He draws on his experiences from everywhere. Those learnings from highs, lows, and everything in between as a player, coach and manager.
All are of use now at Tolka Park.
“I certainly think that helps, especially with with our younger players on the squad, because it wasn’t too long ago that I was in those situations,” he nods.
“You’re in and out of a team, you go through periods where you can’t do anything wrong, and then you go through periods where it’s not quite coming off of you.
“That’s part of developing players — yes, you can develop them on the pitch, but also understand them off the pitch, the challenges that come with being a footballer. You have to be able to deal with the ups and downs.”
Wearen’s style of play at Shels is striking. They play out from the back and like to dominate possession. “Easy on the eye, but getting results,” he says. It’s how he liked to play himself, and how he wants his teams to set up.
Wearen is his own man, but has had plenty of coaching influences too: Tony Carr, Zola, Allardyce and Paul Doolin in the West Ham Academy to name a few. He draws from one and all as he continues to shape himself as a coach and manager.
“Carr and Zola were similar,” he recalls, “gave you massive belief coming onto the pitch: express yourself, enjoy your football, play with a smile on your face type. Really good man management, personal skills in that regard.
“Allardyce and Doolin were a little bit different. They moreso taught you to discipline aspect of the game and the organisation side, how important that is. It can’t be all freedom and express yourself, there has to be roles and responsibilities involved.
“At times in my career, I looked at those kind of managers and coaches and did I feel like they were the best for me? Maybe not as a player, but definitely as a manager. I look back, and I can now understand why they did certain things, or the reasons why that’s how they ran their environment.”
“You take bits and pieces off everybody,” Wearen concludes. “But look, I’m a young manager. I guarantee that when somebody speaks to me in two years, I’ll have probably changed as well along the way.
“That’s important in the modern game: not to stand still and not be stuck in your ways. You’re always striving to get better and move forward.”
Onwards.
Expect the unexpected.
- Shelbourne v Wexford, Women’s Premier Division, 2pm, Tolka Park, LOI TV
Cheat
Get over it
Also go and get your facts right
He is disgrace to the nation. Bet this time sample B won’t go missing
bit severe. it was his horse. he’s the real cheat. glue factory.
Seen his horse hanging out on the boardwalk of the Liffey.
Why is it that people give out when we don’t win medals, but when we put a rider into a competition who has a really good chance of a medal, people call him a cheat, ( his horse failed a doping test ) not Cain and don’t forget he was cleared of having any involvement, plus all of cian’s horses have passed every doping test within the last four years . so why don’t you all get of your high horses . I wish Cain all the best in the qualifier maybe he’ll even bring a medal home .
Well said.
I’m disgusted that this guy is representing my country. As far as I’m concerned he’s a cheat, he shouldn’t be there. If he wins a medal I won’t be celebrating.
im the same..can’t support him.
Well said Vanessa
Humans who take drugs have control over what goes into their bodies, if you are a rider, lots of other people have access to the horse, grooms, vets, anyone passing the stable.
That last episode was all a story from “spooks” missing sample, break in to offices ect
Very strange but still stripped of gold and should not have gone his place should have been given to next in line
Where are all these stupid cheat comments coming from? From my recollection it was his horse that tested positive for a banned substance and not Cian and he was cleared of all involvement in the doping incident. Before or since Athens there hasn’t been a single concern raised about any horse ridden by O’Connor. Get your facts straight before accusing a sportsperson of something so serious.
It’s the fact that there was a real underhanded effort to get sample b to disappear. Said he had no knowledge of it. Well he would say that wouldn’t he.
Don’t we have short memories.
I am a show jumping fan 24/7. I am involved in the production of young horses and travel to shows around the country week in and week out. I do not recognise most of the people commenting on this thread. Yes you are entitled to an opion but that doesnt make you informed or correct. Well done Cian and good luck in the next round from a real Irish Show Jumping Supporter.
Eric Lamaze reigning Olympic champion was thrown out of the Canadian team on several occasions because of cocaine abuse. Now clean and forgiven and hugely popular ( as well as really brilliant ) … Why can’t Cian O’Connor benefit from a similar forgiveness? Especially since his horse tested positive for a tranquilliser?? Go on Cian! Win a medal !! Might be difficult against this English and Saudi Arabians…
Other riders and their families have suffered as a result of this guys drug history. Yet because of his connections he gets picked – whoever picked him should be fired and the committee that helped decide. It means the selectors are cheats as well as O Connor. If a family member of mine was missed out as a result of corruption and cheating I would be disgusted. It’s real Irish where the rich can buy their way out of trouble. Pat Hickey gets promoted and the honest people who compete against O Connor and his selectors must try and keep their chins up against these cheats. It’s our children who will suffer from the example given ie take drugs and you get ahead. Thank you Pat Hickey and your selectors for this sin against decent people. I hope he falls of his horse.
Irish people don’t like success in others, they just like to wallow in their own self pity and blame other people, the government, the British. Someone does well? Must be a cheat, someone earns to much? Must be corrupt. Get over yourselves, knock that large chip off your shoulder and support your country and those competing and working hard for it. Bring on the reds!
so who gave the horse the drugs?
the FEI said it was satisfied that Cian O’Connor was not involved in a deliberate attempt to influence the performance of the horse.
Although the substance was prohibited, it was not performance enhancing.
Always amuses me when i state FACTS and get red thumbs, seems people don’t like the truth.