Pressure part of the job for TNS boss Harrison
The New Saints manager Craig Harrison insists he did not feel under pressure despite a poor start to the season before going on to win the Cymru Premier
Craig Harrison played for Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace [FAW] The New Saints manager Craig Harrison insists he did not feel under pressure despite a poor start to the season. Saints finished the season 22 points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier to claim their 18th Welsh title. That came after a disappointing European campaign and a heavy home defeat to Briton Ferry Llansawel on the opening day of the league season.
"There's always pressure being TNS manager because you expect to win every single game," Harrison told BBC Sport Wales. "If you draw a game, it's catastrophe. If you lose a game, it's the end of the world.
"So there's always pressure and it's something I've been involved with for 10 years plus. " Under Harrison, TNS became the first Welsh domestic side to play in the group stages of a European competition in the 2024-25 season. But earlier this season they lost to North Macedonia's KF Shkendija in the Champions League and Luxembourg's FC Differdange in the Conference League.
TNS chairman Mike Harris described those European defeats as "disappointing" amid speculation over Harrison's position as manager. "Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a fantastic time and it wasn't particularly comfortable," Harrison reflected. "But as in pressure, there's pressure every single day from myself to perform.