New Bohemians boss Alan Reynolds has told his players to drop the nice guy act and bare their teeth.
Reynolds faces a baptism of fire as the sixth-placed Gypsies prepare for three games in a week.
Rennie’ goes to Tallaght tomorrow, before a trip to Galway on Monday and then a home clash with Waterford next Friday, the club he just left as assistant manager.
But over 10,000 supporters are expected at Tallaght Stadium when arch enemies Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians clash in front of the live TV cameras.
And Reynolds, who was officially unveiled yesterday, said: “I told the players that I just want winners in this dressing room.
“People are saying to me ‘it's a nice dressing room’. I don’t want a nice dressing room. I want a ruthless dressing room that wants to win things. That's where we’re going.”
Reynolds is stepping out of his comfort zone after giving the "easiest job in the world" - being an assistant.
He had two spells managing Waterford, but the 49-year-old has made his name as an assistant and coach at Waterford, Derry City, Shelbourne, Dundalk, Cork City, St Pat’s and Ireland U21s.
Reynolds was Jim Crawford’s No 2 as recently as last Friday’s 7-0 win in San Marino and could yet be involved for the September and October qualifiers, with discussions ongoing.
But Reynolds insists he is fully focused on Bohs and, confirming he is on a rolling contract, the Tramore man said: “If you don't do well you're out the door.”
Bohs have not won a trophy since the Setanta Cup in 2010 and Reynold continued: “If you don't deliver success you'll find yourself out of a job.
“What does success look like? There will be different targets set. I know we need to win games and that's up to me to deliver that.”
Reynolds has gone back to the future - 22 years after taking the reins of the old Waterford United in 2004.
Reynolds was player-manager with Ireland legend Paul McGrath the Director of Football, and the Blues reached the FAI Cup final that year.
“I was 27 and we had a good team with Daryl Murphy and Davey Mulcahy. We had a purple patch and I thought ‘this is easy’.
“We were playing and winning games, we got beaten in the cup final. The second season we lost games and I didn’t know how to react or how to deal with it.
“I went and served my apprenticeship after managing. But I've been getting itchy feet as I've been a No 2 for a while.
“I've always been open with managers and said I might do things a little bit differently, but if you're going to do that you have to go out yourself and stand up.”
Reynolds added: “The No 2 is the easiest job in the world. I've just realised that in the last few days!
“It's nice and relaxed and you go and do your work and that. But no, the buck stops with you as a manager and you have to make your decisions.”
Reynolds confirmed that club stalwart Derek Pender will remain on the coaching staff, with another fresh appointment to come.
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