Brendan Rea is a former Irish footballer and manager.

He managed Kilkenny City

Kilkenny City A.F.C.

Kilkenny City A.F.C. was an Irish football club. The club played in the First Division of the League of Ireland until 18 January 2008 when they announced that they resigned their position in the league citing “lack of finance, poor results and paltry attendances”.The club hails from Kilkenny and...

 and Waterford United

Waterford United

Waterford United is an Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded and elected to the league in 1930 and hails from Waterford. Originally the club was based at Kilcohan Park greyhound stadium, but have now moved to the Waterford Regional Sports...

. He took up the Kilkenny post in January 2007, replacing Adrian Fitzpatrick. As a player Rea had two spells at the club, his first including the FAI First Division

FAI First Division

The League of Ireland First Division is the second tier of the Republic of Ireland's national football league, the League of Ireland. The division was formed in 1985 as a result of the decision to split the League of Ireland into two divisions, which also created the League of Ireland Premier...

 championship under Alfie Hale

Alfie Hale

Alfred "Alfie" Hale is a former Irish footballer and manager who played for several clubs in both the League of Ireland and the English League, most notably, Waterford United, Aston Villa, Doncaster Rovers and Cork Celtic. During his career Hale scored 153 goals in the League of Ireland and a...

 in 1997 and his second as player/assistant to manager Tommy Lynch from 2003.

Rea's first managerial appointment came in 2004, when he led Waterford Crystal F.C. to FAI Junior Cup success. The following season he was appointed boss of Waterford United, becoming their third manager of the season, and successfully steered the side clear of relegation with the assistance of consultant Pat Dolan. At the end of the season, nonetheless, Rea's contract was not renewed.

Rea resigned from the Kilkenny City job in July 2007, citing family commitments and pressure of work.

Honours

• League of Ireland First Division 2
  • Kilkenny City A.F.C.
    Kilkenny City A.F.C.
    Kilkenny City A.F.C. was an Irish football club. The club played in the First Division of the League of Ireland until 18 January 2008 when they announced that they resigned their position in the league citing “lack of finance, poor results and paltry attendances”.The club hails from Kilkenny and...
    
    : 1996/97
  • Waterford United F.C.: 1997/98