PAUL Holleran can relate to Jurgen Klopp’s need to take a break – but he intends to keep adding to a 700 not-out at his own LFC.
Leamington boss Holleran took charge in November 2009 and chalked up his latest milestone in style as his Southern Premier Central playoff chasers beat Hitchin Town 3-0 last Saturday.
The BBC’s Football Focus highlighted his achievements in yesterday’s show that falls on Non-League Day, breaking away from the traditional focus on top-tier matters such as Klopp’s imminent exit from Liverpool.
But while all of that is a world away from life at The New Windmill, there are some parallels.
“Being honest, it is a tough job, I am getting older and the players are getting younger,” said Holleran. “I am 53. I started early so that helps but the gap is still there. When you have done so many years – not just here but at Solihull, Rushall and Halesowen – it takes its toll because you sacrifice so much.
“You do have moments where you think ‘can I keep doing this?’ but the players and fans keep driving me on at the moment.
“Even at this level you don’t stop. Regardless of whether you are Jurgen Klopp or Paul Holleran, it is relentless, and I do 50 hours per week on top of that as well which I imagine is a bit different to Jurgen!”
The two-way loyalty of Holleran’s tenure is unheard of in the Premier League – he has seen through two promotions from Step 3 and toughed out two relegations from National North, moving on a wealth of talent to the professional game along the way – but he never dreamed of being around for this long.
“Not after some of the early results,” he quipped. “You don’t expect it but something has always happened to keep it ticking over, whether
