Alan Mathews joins St Patrick's Athletic backroom team for 2020

Premier Division St Patrick’s Athletic have confirmed that former back-to-back FAI Cup winning manager Alan Mathews is to be on the Saints backroom team for 2020.

The Saints have confirmed that he has joined the club as first-team manager, where he will assist head coach Stephen O’Donnell and assistant Patrick Cregg.

News of his appointment comes just as the Athletic have begun their pre-season preparations, with their opening game due to take place on Thursday evening against Cobh Ramblers.

Mathews, who is a board member at Richmond Park – began his managerial career at Longford Town in 2002.

While in the Midlands, Mathews oversaw the Red and Black’s only two FAI Cup successes, while he also won a League of Ireland cup in his time at the club.

The Dubliner soon left Longford after their defeat in the 2007 FAI Cup final at the RDS against Cork City – where he was to take over.

He spent a year at Turners Cross as financial irregularities plagued the Leesiders, before he was appointed as Drogheda United boss.

After a stint at the helm at the Boynesiders, he soon took over the reins of Shelbourne whom he led to top-flight promotion.

Further stints at Bray Wanderers and Athlone Town followed before he made his return to Longford in 2016, where he was to remain until May 2017.