Jim Magilton admits Dundalk will be under enormous pressure if they don’t qualify for Europe.
Without a manager and with just two wins from 10 league games, the Lilywhites are already a whopping 16 points behind their arch rivals and leaders Shamrock Rovers.
And they are nine points off third-placed Sligo Rovers in that race for the Europa League spots in 2022.
Their American owners have invested in the squad this season with an array of foreign players, but for no reward as yet with the former kingpins of Ireland in dire straits.
And without a European finish and the money it brings, people within the club may fear how long the owners will stick it out for.
Magilton was appointed as Sporting Director in December on a four-year contract but has found himself in interim charge of the first-team for the last five games.
And he admits that missing out on Europe would be a major cause for concern.
“Lots, lots,” he said when asked what sort of pressure the club would be under if they finish out of European contention.
“The pressure is on this club to finish top every year, that’s through experience of the last few years, either winning league titles or being in and around.
“Bottom line is we need to finish in Europe. That’s the remit when you sign for this football club. That’s the pressure you’re under.”
Ex-Ipswich and QPR boss Magilton continued: “I’ve dealt with pressure. I go back to past experiences at Southampton. We fought relegation battles every year.
“If we didn’t have a genius (Matt Le Tissier) in our team, we’d have struggled. That was the pressure you felt.
“We knew when it came to the last few weeks we’d be in a relegation fight and we had real characters in the team, real metal in the team.
“We managed to get over the line each year when I was there so I understand it from that pressure.
“There’s a different type of pressure if you’re Manchester United or Liverpool and it’s the same with Dundalk.
“There’s obviously financial pressure. I don't know what's going to happen thereafter. Please ask me at the time. Give me a break now, please.”
Dundalk go to Finn Harps this evening desperate to put another trying week behind them after some players broke Covid protocols on a Belfast outing.
And Magilton is hoping it’s a case of lessons learned and a return to winning ways after an insipid home defeat to Sligo Rovers last week.
“We have to go on a run of games, where we're winning. We've got to show that we can get out of this,” he added.
“Speak to me at the end of the season and please tell me we’ve finished in the top three and we can have a hug and a pint, and all will be well.”
Dundalk’s managerial hunt rumbles on but Magilton could be in charge until the summer break later this month.
“New names are coming in every day but it’s ongoing,” he said.
