The current workload facing inter-county managers is unsustainable according to James Horan who suggests the GAA may have to go down the professional route.

The former Mayo boss, who managed the 2014 All-Stars in Boston on Saturday, told The Irish Independent that: "It's an interesting concept.

"I don't know will that ever be the case but it's a very valid idea. If you think of some of the set-ups at the moment, if you take a management set-up at inter-county level, in some of the top teams you have 12 or 14 involved.

"Some of the medical (personnel) on that team will be paid to do the role and rightfully so. They're trained professionals at what they do.

"But in a lot of cases you have a manager who is managing that whole group. He's putting in crazy stuff and is not getting paid. And that's the case in a lot of counties. That's not sustainable. I genuinely don't think it is.

"If you want to manage to the best of your ability everything else needs to row in behind it. If you're only looking for one or two per cent improvement, if you think about it, you're coaching or managing at a certain level but you're working as well.

"So if you could get rid of your job you would be able to commit even more or maybe be a better coach than what you are but you're always going to be pushed to give more and more time."

Since he stepped down as Mayo manager due to work and family commitments, two counties have knocked on Horan's door to enquire if he would be prepared to switch county allegiance but he doesn't see that happening anytime soon.

"Famous last words, but that's where I am at the moment. I don't think so. Imagine what Cillian O'Connor and Aidan O'Shea would say to me if I managed someone else. I'd never hear the end of it!"

"Make no mistake, I'd love to be the manager of Mayo still, would absolutely love to be involved with those guys.

"They're a great group and we'd have huge respect for each other but life needs to go on as well and just where I am with work, five young kids, that's all been on ice for four years really."

Horan also had his say on how the process to find his replacement was handled by Mayo chiefs.

"It's more rubbish for Mayo football which is what we tried to get rid of that kind of stuff.

"From my point of view, it's completely against the philosophy we tried to put in as a team. That was just sloppy and poor in every way you could look at it. We just need football to start down in Mayo, that's what we need to happen."

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