Trapattoni - who would you replace him with?

[Straightstory]

Interesting that Fanning thinks that managing Ireland would be a step down from managing Norwich. Says it all, really.
Looks like we could be now condemned forever to be like Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; never qualifying for European Championships or World Cups. At least Irish football fans can now return to what they do best - supporting Liverpool and Man United.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Interesting that Fanning thinks that managing Ireland would be a step down from managing Norwich. Says it all, really.

It matter of factually is a step down - the step made only slightly smaller by the fact that by international football standards the Irish job is overpaid.

I've mentioned Alex McLeishs move from managing Scotland to Birmingham City before ...it involved a 2000% pay hike. No international association can, or should in all likelihood, compete with that.

[Bungle]

If we are serious about developing talent, then the FAI should firstly decide what type of system we want to play (Dutch, German, Spanish etc) and go to Holland and pay premium money for some of their coaches to come over here. I have watched some of our young teams and have been impressed with how they try and play football (including Noel King's u21s). I'm not sure if that is a result of the Dutch guy the FAI had brought over. Contrary to the doom and gloom over the past few days, we are producing some talent of real ability (Noe Baba, Daniel Cleary, Alex O'Hanlon and Jack Byrne) to name a few. The dream would be Liam Brady running the show.

There should be highly professional regional groups from about 10 or 11 up. Each region doesn't just take the so called top 20 in each age group from their region, but the top 100. From being involved in youth football, there can be lads who are average/good at 10, who by the time they are 14 are outstanding. Some lads will really come on with the top class coaching they receive. The best lads will inevitably go to Liverpool or United, but there will be a very positive knock on effect for the LOI, as there will be a noticeable improvement in the technical/tactical ability of young lads.

I actually think we have a decent batch of players at senior level, who are certainly good enough to get us to Euro 2016 and with the right draw have a good chance of World Cup 2018, but I would rather widespread development and money ploughed into the long term development of football in this country, then hiring another Trapattoni, who for all his early good work will leave us in almost as bad shape as when he took over. Belgium is the dream for us to try and emulate, countries like Denmark probably more feasible targets for proper football development in this country.

[Grafter]

Wouldn't Martin O' Neill be perceived as a traitor in NI if he accepted Irish job? Would he and his family want the grief that might ensue from a minority of headbangers up there? What if more Norn Ire lads declared for us under his watch.... imagine the hassle he'd face up North as a result!

[peadar1987]

If we are serious about developing talent, then the FAI should firstly decide what type of system we want to play (Dutch, German, Spanish etc) and go to Holland and pay premium money for some of their coaches to come over here. I have watched some of our young teams and have been impressed with how they try and play football (including Noel King's u21s). I'm not sure if that is a result of the Dutch guy the FAI had brought over. Contrary to the doom and gloom over the past few days, we are producing some talent of real ability (Noe Baba, Daniel Cleary, Alex O'Hanlon and Jack Byrne) to name a few. The dream would be Liam Brady running the show.

There should be highly professional regional groups from about 10 or 11 up. Each region doesn't just take the so called top 20 in each age group from their region, but the top 100. From being involved in youth football, there can be lads who are average/good at 10, who by the time they are 14 are outstanding. Some lads will really come on with the top class coaching they receive. The best lads will inevitably go to Liverpool or United, but there will be a very positive knock on effect for the LOI, as there will be a noticeable improvement in the technical/tactical ability of young lads.

I actually think we have a decent batch of players at senior level, who are certainly good enough to get us to Euro 2016 and with the right draw have a good chance of World Cup 2018, but I would rather widespread development and money ploughed into the long term development of football in this country, then hiring another Trapattoni, who for all his early good work will leave us in almost as bad shape as when he took over. Belgium is the dream for us to try and emulate, countries like Denmark probably more feasible targets for proper football development in this country.

Perhaps it's too much of a pipe dream, but I wouldn't like to see us just breed players for a system, I'd like us to be coaching young players to their strengths as young as possible, whether those strengths are going to be being a big bruiser, a speedy winger, or a midfield pacemaker. Ultimately, youth football should be about the kids, and having a strong but technically limited player frozen out is just as bad from that respect as doing the same thing to someone small with good technique.

[ArdeeBhoy]

He's not daft Grafter, but let's worry about that, if and when it ever happens.

[Stuttgart88]

Interesting that Fanning thinks that managing Ireland would be a step down from managing Norwich. Says it all, really.I'd say it's not a step down in terms of prestige but definitely in terms of salary. That's the problem. It'd also be a career risk. He's doing OK at Norwich but if they do badly he'll geta good job at a Championship club, paying well. Managing Ireland without success could leave him vulnerable wrt future club employment if he was sacked or not renewed.

[shakermaker1982]

It's gonna be Roy Keane. Gonna be fun whilst it lasts (6 months?)

[Bungle]

Perhaps it's too much of a pipe dream, but I wouldn't like to see us just breed players for a system, I'd like us to be coaching young players to their strengths as young as possible, whether those strengths are going to be being a big bruiser, a speedy winger, or a midfield pacemaker. Ultimately, youth football should be about the kids, and having a strong but technically limited player frozen out is just as bad from that respect as doing the same thing to someone small with good technique.

That's a very valid point. I suppose what I would say is that the Spanish, Germans, Italians, Dutch, Belgians etc and even the Danes produce players of variety. They produce guys like Pirlo or Sneijder, but also defensive bruisers like Gattuso or Van Bommel, who are still 100 times more technically gifted than Glen Whelan.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Not sure if this link currently works, but feel free to re-post if necessary?
http://backpagefootball.com/post-trap-ireland-big-changes-afoot/63042/

[DannyInvincible]

Wouldn't Martin O' Neill be perceived as a traitor in NI if he accepted Irish job? Would he and his family want the grief that might ensue from a minority of headbangers up there? What if more Norn Ire lads declared for us under his watch.... imagine the hassle he'd face up North as a result!

Maybe so, but I don't see why he'd let that bother him. He was at the game on Friday night and was happy enough in the past to manage Celtic, a club who wouldn't be too popular with many NI fans for obvious reasons. He also acknowledged the choice that exists for Irish nationals born in the north when he spoke publicly of McClean's switch and didn't appear to take any issue with it - I'd imagine he sees it as a positive thing as he seemed to be of the mistaken belief that that option hadn't been open to him when he was playing - so I don't see why he wouldn't be happy enough to facilitate northern-born players good enough and willing to play for us.

[OwlsFan]

I don't doubt your fandom Owls, but you sell Ireland short with that analysis. Hustle, bluster and chaos is what we offered from the first to the 90th min. Sweden handled our game once they went ahead. It's not as if Zlatan was back in their defence saving the day with a flurry of last ditch tackles.

Where do you think we rank in Europe, seeing as we can't beat Austria at home and get beat by Sweden? I'd say that puts us as a 4th seeded team in the groups.
That means we wouldn't even qualify for the extended euros in 2016 and it would be easier to qualify for them than not qualify.

I was commenting on the previous poster who wanted us to play "free flowing football". It's not going to happen no matter who the manager is. I am aware of how low our stock has fallen.

Our centre-backs are not comfortable on the ball which is a pre-requisite for such idealistic type of football played by mostly only the top teams. Sweden hoof the ball and they have been doing it successfully for years but they have the players or should I say the player for it. I don't have a problem with the ball being hoofed up more often than not. I remember some of our goals being conceded in Poland by attempts to play football in our own half. What annoyed me though was that when it failed all the time (apart from Robbie's goal we must not forget), Trap's answer was to try it again. That said Sweden defended very well and gave Coleman no space to overlap. The other annoying this was bringing on Cox. After his first few bright games, his star has steadily been on the wane. Surely Hoolahan for a bit of guile was worth trying.

The system works away and two big tests for it are coming up. It has failed abysmally at home. What I just don't understand is why Trap has not seen this and adapted our style accordingly. Mind you our home form for over a decade has been poor. We find it hard to break down teams here

[jbyrne]

That said Sweden defended very well and gave Coleman no space to overlap.

and on the 2 or 3 occasions he did actually get into good positions he inexplicably cut back in-field rather than whipping over an early cross.
we struggled to get in behind them but when we did our use of the ball was dreadful. longs two great opportunities to play the ball accross quickly when in their penalty area was hugely frustrating also.

[geysir]

Trap's contract is valid until June.
It does appear madness though to have a contract valid until June 2014. That's half of 8 months salary for him and management team, drained from Irish football.
Why not a contract until October 2013 unless we made it to the Finals?

Maybe we manage to beat Austria, Sweden suffer a shock defeat to Kazakhstan, we avoid a goal rout in Germany and qualification hopes are kept alive to the last game, just to suck some more value out of Trap and his management team.

[Charlie Darwin]

Trap's contract is valid until June.
It does appear madness though to have a contract valid until June 2014. That's half of 8 months salary for him and management team, drained from Irish football.
Why not a contract until October 2013 unless we made it to the Finals?
I don't think the length of the contract has any relevance, to be honest. I'd imagine the FAI and Trap just agreed a salary for the duration of the contract, €3 million or whatever, and it was up to the FAI how they chose to spread that out.

[mark12345]

If we are serious about developing talent, then the FAI should firstly decide what type of system we want to play (Dutch, German, Spanish etc) and go to Holland and pay premium money for some of their coaches to come over here. I have watched some of our young teams and have been impressed with how they try and play football (including Noel King's u21s). I'm not sure if that is a result of the Dutch guy the FAI had brought over. Contrary to the doom and gloom over the past few days, we are producing some talent of real ability (Noe Baba, Daniel Cleary, Alex O'Hanlon and Jack Byrne) to name a few. The dream would be Liam Brady running the show.

There should be highly professional regional groups from about 10 or 11 up. Each region doesn't just take the so called top 20 in each age group from their region, but the top 100. From being involved in youth football, there can be lads who are average/good at 10, who by the time they are 14 are outstanding. Some lads will really come on with the top class coaching they receive. The best lads will inevitably go to Liverpool or United, but there will be a very positive knock on effect for the LOI, as there will be a noticeable improvement in the technical/tactical ability of young lads.

I actually think we have a decent batch of players at senior level, who are certainly good enough to get us to Euro 2016 and with the right draw have a good chance of World Cup 2018, but I would rather widespread development and money ploughed into the long term development of football in this country, then hiring another Trapattoni, who for all his early good work will leave us in almost as bad shape as when he took over. Belgium is the dream for us to try and emulate, countries like Denmark probably more feasible targets for proper football development in this country.

Of the tens of thousands of posts which have been made over the last several days, concerning the Irish set up, this is the best. It addresses the correct points (what system do we want to play) and the poster (Bungle) correctly points out that we need to pay premium money for their coaches to come over here, rather than big money for the likes of Trap.

Top marks Bungle.

[mark12345]

It's gonna be Roy Keane. Gonna be fun whilst it lasts (6 months?)

Wouldn't mind at all if it was Keane. It would inject a massive amount of public attention into the situation, rather than the disdain that is there at present.
And while on the subject of the ultimate prodigal son being brought back to the highest job in the land, I wonder what he would think of the following players (who were also outcasts to one extent or another) - Stephen Ireland, Darron Gibson, Wes Hoolahan, Anthony Stokes. Chucks, there were two other creative lads which have escaped me at present.

[Stuttgart88]

There'd be a huge short term impact alright and I think the "outcasts" might return - before they get kicked out :)

I'd be less sure the long term consequences would be good.

In all seriousness though, I never got the impression Keane ever showed the signs that he can read footballing situations from the bench in the way the better coaches do. I'm not sure Mick or MON ever did either though! I think their strengths are their ability to get people to play for them.

[DannyInvincible]

It's gonna be Roy Keane. Gonna be fun whilst it lasts (6 months?)

I just can't see Delaney going near him and I'm surprised his name is being bandied about. Has Keane even indicated he'd consider taking the job if offered?


What annoyed me though was that when it failed all the time (apart from Robbie's goal we must not forget), Trap's answer was to try it again.

That's the most soul-destroying and frustrating aspect; the inevitable futility of it all.


The other annoying this was bringing on Cox. After his first few bright games, his star has steadily been on the wane. Surely Hoolahan for a bit of guile was worth trying.

Cox wasn't always deployed on the wing though, was he? He chests down throw-ins and can do little else on the wing. Walters is an absolute work-horse, but he's another player who won't offer us much on the wing. That's not a criticism of Walters, but his panting and chasing like a wounded bull is utterly wasted there. You can see it kills him; he's drained every game he plays there, and for naught. He looked on the verge of collapse before Alaba scored his equaliser in March, but Trap inexplicably left him on.


Wouldn't mind at all if it was Keane. It would inject a massive amount of public attention into the situation, rather than the disdain that is there at present.

That's true, although Trap's high-profile appointment also generated a huge level of interest; as you can see, such attention is transient.

Out of interest, would a Keane appointment disgruntle any/many on here?

[Bungle]

Not sure if this link currently works, but feel free to re-post if necessary?
http://backpagefootball.com/post-trap-ireland-big-changes-afoot/63042/

The comparisons with the North in terms of the standard of coaching is very depressing and worrying.

[shakermaker1982]

Just seen this on twitter

@COYBIG: Trap: "In Ireland there is no league. Our players play in England. In Sweden & Austria they have league. This is different." #COYBIG

Asking for trouble?

[DannyInvincible]

Just seen this on twitter

@COYBIG: Trap: "In Ireland there is no league. Our players play in England. In Sweden & Austria they have league. This is different." #COYBIG

Asking for trouble?

Some responses: http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2013/09/09/4249581/league-of-ireland-players-slam-disrespectful-trapattoni


The statement prompted responses from a number of League of Ireland players, including Limerick defender Stephen Folan, who branded Trapattoni "disrespectful".

"Rather disrespectful that [Trapattoni] hasn't acknowledged the league," Folan wrote on Twitter. "Regardless of the standard, how many [players] from the Ireland team have played in this league?"

St Patrick's Athletic defender Ian Bermingham was critical of the Italian and suggested that there were better players currently playing in Ireland's domestic league than those currently in Trapattoni's squad.

"Never mind better players on the bench, [there are] much better midfielders in our league than Paul Green," he wrote on Twitter.

Bermingham's St Pat's team mate Ger O'Brien said that Trapattoni did not know what domestically-based players offered.

"Nobody associated with our league should be offended by Trap. [He] has no idea what we can offer [and] doesn't realise [a quarter] of his squad played in [the League of Ireland]..."

The reaction echoes the thoughts of Derry City midfielder Patrick McEleney, who recently told Goal that Trapattoni would never look to the League of Ireland and doubted the Italian's desire to promote the league.

"I think Trapattoni will never look towards our league for senior international players," McEleney said. "You would have to be playing across the water [in Britain] for him to acknowledge you. As for promoting, I'm not sure he would do it."

League of Ireland sides have also beaten numerous Swedish opponents in European competition in recent years.

I'd like to think that the intent of Trap's statement has been somewhat lost in translation and that he's actually criticising the national and associational neglect of our league; so bad it is that you'd barely know the league existed.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Disgraceful.

[geysir]

League of Ireland sides have also beaten numerous Swedish opponents in European competition in recent years.

I'd like to think that the intent of Trap's statement has been somewhat lost in translation and that he's actually criticising the national and associational neglect of our league; so bad it is that you'd barely know the league existed.

Currently the LOI is one of the lowest standard leagues in Europe, no matter what oddball piece of a fact is offered in denial.

Trap is engaging in the art of deflection away from his prehistoric tactics as being our main culprit after failing to beat teams like Sweden and Austria. It can't be true that Trap has made a mistake or is less than brilliant, therefore there must be some other reason:rolleyes:
It is true that the LOI is very weak, it would be beneficial if the league was stronger, as strong as the Austrian or Swedish leagues.

[Closed Account 2]

He phrased it very poorly but there is a semblance of a point. If he had said, "the difference is Sweden and Austria have clubs who have been in the CL group stage a few times rather than never and/or the Swedes and Austrians get into theUEFA / Europa group stages with more regularity" it would have been a simple statement of fact and no one could have argued with it. This year didn't Armenian, Estonian, Kazakh and Icelandic clubs do better or go further in Europe than LoI teams?

As for Bermingham, why doesn't he name names, if there are these LoI players who could walk into the national team (team not just bench as that was his statement)?

[ifk101]

Sweden had one domestic based player in their line-up against us, a player coming to the end of his career. It is more often the case the starting eleven is made up of foreign based players. It's pretty much irrelevant in this context if the Swedish league is stronger than the LOI because Swedes don't deem their domestic league strong enough to field international standard players. On Friday night's game itself, Sweden had one player with that little bit extra but we are as strong, arguably stronger in all other positions to the Swedes but watching the game itself you wouldn't think that. Its all well in good in talking about poor structures in the Irish game etc etc but this is deflecting from the fact that we actually have, at this very moment in time, a strong panel of players to pick from. It's time for somebody that can actually see this to come in and do the job.

[squareball]

I'm hoping that a few of the current players will come back and finish their careers in the LOI and earn their badges and start coaching here and this would help generate more interest in the league and Irish soccer. Trap is a joke of a manager and is an embarrassment to the game in this country. He barely knew any players outside the EPL until the FAI came under pressure to sack him.

[geysir]

Sweden had one domestic based player in their line-up against us, a player coming to the end of his career. It is more often the case the starting eleven is made up of foreign based players. It's pretty much irrelevant in this context if the Swedish league is stronger than the LOI because Swedes don't deem their domestic league strong enough to field international standard players. On Friday night's game itself, Sweden had one player with that little bit extra but we are as strong, arguably stronger in all other positions to the Swedes but watching the game itself you wouldn't think that. Its all well in good in talking about poor structures in the Irish game etc etc but this is deflecting from the fact that we actually have, at this very moment in time, a strong panel of players to pick from. It's time for somebody that can actually see this to come in and do the job.
I'd agree with much of that but I think it's worth mentioning (fwiw), that Sweden had 4 local league players in their squad, Austria had 8 in their recent squad.
In no way, is a weak LOI an excuse that Trap can use with a morsel of credibility.

[DannyInvincible]

Sweden had one domestic based player in their line-up against us, a player coming to the end of his career. It is more often the case the starting eleven is made up of foreign based players. It's pretty much irrelevant in this context if the Swedish league is stronger than the LOI because Swedes don't deem their domestic league strong enough to field international standard players.

Can't the vast bulk of players in the Swedish and Austrian squads thank Swedish and Austrian league clubs for their development though? Unless I'm mistaken, there's no shipping their players off to Germany or wherever at the age of 16.

[Stuttgart88]

I won't for a second defend Trap's management of this team in the last couple of years but we know his English is rubbish and his "no league" remark is not to be taken literally. If Trap was fluent in English he'd probably say that a lack of a fully professional league that can compete financially with even the 3rd and 4th tiers of English football is a problem for Ireland, as it makes them largely dependent on a foreign system to produce players of international standard.

If he had said that, few would have had any beef.

However, IFK has a point. These players are good enough to beat Sweden. We are still producing good players. Not European Cup winners like we often did before, but good enough to beat several second and third ranked European teams.

Trap has either no shame or no sense of context. Ireland regularly comes second in groups yet he feels he has worked some kind of miracle. He steadied the ship after Staunton and brought order where it was needed, but he hasn't built on that. In fact the order we initially benefitted from has long since disappeared and we are now every bit as lost as we were in the final days of Stan and even Kerr's reigns.

[Closed Account 2]

If you take Whelan as an example, at the moment he seems to be a bit of weak link in the team. He is, or perhaps once was a nominally defensive midfielder. If the manager wants to replace him with another DM, he has to hope there is a decent viable one playing at a decent standard in Europe/UK or he'll have to try and work a player from another position into the system or change the system entirely. The other option is to take a punt on a player from the LoI to fill the weakness. If the Austrian manager was in a similar situation he could see if there were any viable DMs at Austria Vienna, Rapid Vienna, RB Salzburg all of whom have better players and more European experience than LoI teams - his domestic option is less of a risk. The same is perhaps true of the Swedish manager, although I'm not that familiar with the good clubs there now, years ago it was AIK, Djurgaarten and Malmo.

[tricky_colour]

I recognise Keane and Paul McShane, but I haven't a clue who that is on the right.

That's a potential new recruit, his grandfather may be an Irish Wolfhound but they are awaiting the results of a DNA test.

[ifk101]

Can't the vast bulk of players in the Swedish and Austrian squads thank Swedish and Austrian league clubs for their development though? Unless I'm mistaken, there's no shipping their players off to Germany or wherever at the age of 16.

Yes to a point. Leaving Sweden at 16 isn't unheard of though. Sebastian Larsson went to Arsenal at 16. Most of the rest of the team lefted Sweden in their teens so what experience they have (if any) of playing in the Swedish league is relatively limited. Swedish club football can offer players a professional career which LOI football can't. But when push comes to shove Swedish kids want to play abroad as much as an Irish kid.

[geysir]

Yes to a point. Leaving Sweden at 16 isn't unheard of though. Sebastian Larsson went to Arsenal at 16. Most of the rest of the team lefted Sweden in their teens so what experience they have (if any) of playing in the Swedish league is relatively limited. Swedish club football can offer players a professional career which LOI football can't. But when push comes to shove Swedish kids want to play abroad as much as an Irish kid.
That part is nonsense, I have already taken the time to correct you on that point. The Swedish players on average spend many full seasons with a Swedish league club before departing, on average the age of departing is 21 or 22, but I will defer to Tricky's opinion on that matter.
Here is the list of the players in the Swedish squad that came to Dublin
and listed is the age they left the Swedish league team to go abroad.
Started = started the game
used sub = came on as a sub

Andreas Isaksson goalie 23 Started

Lustig 22 - to Norway Started
Jonas Olsson 25 used sub
Per Nilsson 25 Started
Martin Olsson 18 Started
Mikael Antonsson 23 Started
Pierre Bengtsson 21 to Denmark
Andreas Granqvist 22
Albin Ekdal 19 Started
Seb Larsson 16 Started
Anders Svensson 25 - returned to Swedish league age 29 Started
Kim Källström 22
Pontus Wernbloom 23 used sub
Alexander Kačaniklić 19 16 Started
Jimmy Durmaz 23
Erkan Zengin 24
Zlatan 20 Started
Johan Elmander 19 Started
Tobias Hysén 24 - back in Sweden age 25
Ola Toivonen 23

Still playing in Swedish league
Pontus Jansson 22
Adam Johansson 30 used sub

[ifk101]

I don't have the time to correct you but you can start off with Isaksson - he lefted to play with Juventus at 19. Plenty of other ages incorrect as well so google some more.

[geysir]

I don't have the time to correct you but you can start off with Isaksson - he lefted to play with Juventus at 19. Plenty of other ages incorrect as well so google some more.
There is nothing or hardly nothing :) to correct, the goalie left to go juve age 19 didn't make it, came back to Sweden and played 4 full seasons in Sweden before leaving age 23.
I think that counts as leaving sweden age 23

Edit
One correction
Alexander Kačaniklić left age 16 not 19

other info
Of the 2 players who left age 19
Johan Elmander had 2 full seasons in the Allsvenskan
Albin Ekdal had 24 games in the Allsvenskan over 2 seasons

Even if you wanted to nit pick over Zlatan's age of leaving, 19.75 and not 20,
he was playing with Malmo for 3 seasons before leaving.

[ifk101]

I've already taken time out of my day to correct you. Lose the self-righteous tone. Isaksson left Sweden at 19. You think wrong. Google some more and I'll response to your new findings when I have the time.

[ArdeeBhoy]

This is all irrelevant.
The players are just not good enough...

[geysir]

I've already taken time out of my day to correct you. Lose the self-righteous tone. Isaksson left Sweden at 19. You think wrong. Google some more and I'll response to your new findings when I have the time.
When a person uses a smiley it means they are not trying to be self righteous. There is nothing for me to lose.
I think you need to be more clear and concise with your claims about swedish players.
I did not make any claims in the first place, but I have made a very strong case to correct a perception that you offered.

At the very least, when you consider the best player Sweden has ever produced, Zlatan, played for Malmo for 3 seasons before leaving, there isn't a remote parallel with what happens to best of the Irish youth.
Even Sweden's other world class player, Henrik Larsson, played in Sweden until he was 22.

[ArdeeBhoy]

So what?
They are both world-class players who would have probably developed regardless...

[geysir]

So what?
They are both world-class players who would have probably developed regardless...
It's an ArdeeBhoy post,
so what? why does he bother?
it's just going to be yet another utterly pointless post, expressing negativity or fatalism in varying degrees :)

[Irwin3]

The d word hasn't been mentioned yet. That's diaspora by the way. Nearly half of the current squad are born outside of the FAI's jurisdiction. Sure the FAI needs to reform the whole system to improve technical abilities and depth of the player pool, but the reality is that going forward a lot of our national team players will be born outside of the FAI's club system and will continue to be raised in the British system with some more no doubt in the Australian, Canadian, and US systems among others.

[Crosby87]

At the very least, when you consider the best player Sweden has ever produced, Zlatan, played for Malmo for 3 seasons before leaving,

Not to nit pick but Sven Rydell is seen as such an innovative player that he is probably considered the best player the Swedes ever produced. He had 49 Goals in 43 matches and was so good even in days before TV, where it would be hard to follow him, that Pele's father wanted to name Pele "Sven" instead of Edson, (true story) but Pele's mother would have none of it.

[Irwin3]

Also, in the current squad 6 out of 14 FAI players played in the LOI before moving.

Forde - Left at 21, back at 23 before leaving again at 26.
Coleman - Left at 20.
Hoolahan - Left at 24.
McClean - Left at 22.
Long - Left at 18.
Sammon - Left at 21.

The other 8 players left between the age of 15 and 19, mostly aged 16.

[Yard of Pace]

Not to nit pick but Sven Rydell is seen as such an innovative player that he is probably considered the best player the Swedes ever produced. He had 49 Goals in 43 matches and was so good even in days before TV, where it would be hard to follow him, that Pele's father wanted to name Pele "Sven" instead of Edson, (true story) but Pele's mother would have none of it.

Jaysis, Edson was hardly much better. Sounds just as Nordic.

[ArdeeBhoy]

It's an ArdeeBhoy post,
so what? why does he bother?
it's just going to be yet another utterly pointless post, expressing negativity or fatalism in varying degrees :)
Except it's the truth...

[geysir]

Except it's the truth...
The truth??
Do you have a clue about 15. 16 or 17 year olds leaving home to live abroad?
The vast majority don't make it and have to come back 'home'.
Do you not think it's more desirable for young kids to be able to do their football education close to home and finish rudimentary secondary education, before leaving for the bright lights?
Should they not be the type to 'make it', would it not be more apparent at the age of 17 or 18 before they depart abroad? Another factor is that the local league benefits from having a young quality player in their team for a few seasons, as well as the considerable transfer fee that would come their way with selling on a player whose pedigree is more proven.
Instead of picking up crumbs for quality promising players, the league clubs would be able to command fees some 10 times bigger.
Thats just what I can think of offhand, I'm sure there are many more benefits to a league/country which holds onto its best players until they are 19, 20. 21 22 years old.

Does it benefit international football? who really thinks that's the reason why a local league should be stronger/richer, but I'm sure it doesn't harm the senior intl team.

[gastric]

You make very relevant points Geysir. Also, has anyone actually looked at the effect on players who leave home at 15 or 16 and then return 'not having made it'? I am sure that for many, this burden of having seemingly failed is one they have to face for a period of time, which can't be easy for many returned players. At the end of the day, these kids would be best served by remaining in Ireland in a familiar environment with their friends and family around them for support. If they do secure a transfer overseas at a later stage in their emotional development, they are in a better position to cope with the related demands.

[Lionel Ritchie]

He's gone. Just announced.

The more I think about O'Neill the less I fancy the idea though someone from the Sunday World is on RTE (so it must be true!) is saying he was approached last week.

Also O'Neill would the same age starting the job that Jack Charlton was when he was told they wouldn't be paying his retainer any more because he the game had outgrown him.

I've mentioned O'Leary before and I'm the only person I know who doesn't think it'd be a bad idea (unless anyone wants to pipe up) but he's a bit younger and I think he'd do just fine.

[boovidge]

If O'Neill is a realistic possibility then I don't think we can look anywhere else tbh.