2019 UEFA Under-21 Championships

[DeLorean]

https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews//sport/soccer/noel-king-fans-expectations-are-too-great-like-england-876537.html

“I think Ireland have got some exceptional results at various levels, given the size of our country,”

That amongst other things you expect this excusasaurous-Rex to say and of course as is standard with the FAI they reward his failure with a new contract... this really is baffling.

Serious deja vu flashbacks here. Delighted with not being humiliated by an already qualified Germany side.


But to face Germany in a big stadium in Heidenheim and hold them at 2-0, creating a few chances and hitting the post at the end ourselves, is more than acceptable for me.

He came so close to achieving the same with our senior team but that damn third goal will always stick in his craw. He was so happy with 2-0 that he didn't even make any subsititutions in case it might jeopardise it. :rolleyes:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fLYyZgRwb8

[Cathalsmart]

Could his expectations be any lower?

[zero]

looks like king may be on the way out:

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/end-of-noel-kings-reign-as-ireland-u21-manager-beckons-37460427.html

[Olé Olé]

Mohan has had some lovely players and has done well with the under 19s. An added bonus is that he's a Fermanagh man and we have seen a couple of lads from the 6 counties join up with his squads.

Colin O'Brien seems to be a long-term prospect too. You could envisage him moving to the under 19 side.

[Stuttgart88]

Given they are doing such a good job, I'd be inclined to leave Mohan and O'Brien where they are right now. My preferred U21 coach would be someone like Carsley / S. Reid / Kenny Cunningham who'd take a look at the whole system and see the U21s both as a priority (i.e., qualify for a finals) and as a bridge between U19 and senior international football rather than the random God-knows-what-it-is approach to the U21s we've had since time began. I'd also like to see the U21s job as a pathway to the senior manager job.

[Olé Olé]

Given they are doing such a good job, I'd be inclined to leave Mohan and O'Brien where they are right now. My preferred U21 coach would be someone like Carsley / S. Reid / Kenny Cunningham who'd take a look at the whole system and see the U21s both as a priority (i.e., qualify for a finals) and as a bridge between U19 and senior international football rather than the random God-knows-what-it-is approach to the U21s we've had since time began. I'd also like to see the U21s job as a pathway to the senior manager job.

Stephen Kenny...

[sbgawa]

Kenny could do it part time while staying with dundalk

[Charlie Darwin]

Kenny could do it part time while staying with dundalk
You mean he'd have two contracts?

[Stuttgart88]

Stephen Kenny...
I'd say he's overqualified for the U21s and should already be a candidate for the senior job.

[Olé Olé]

I'd say he's overqualified for the U21s and should already be a candidate for the senior job.

I would agree with you but I don't think that results in him being O'Neill's successor. Do you? I can't see the decision-makers taking a long-term punt.

[Stuttgart88]

No, I don't see it happening.

[nigel-harps1954]

Personally think Kenny Cunningham is the man for the under-21 job. Someone with a knowledge of the game both in Ireland and abroad is most certainly preferable.

[jbyrne]

pushed out more likely...

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2018/1107/1009305-noel-king-retires-from-under-21-managerial-role/

[DeLorean]

Has he heard of a certain Inter Milan captain in his role as Player Identification Manager?

[backstothewall]

Personally think Kenny Cunningham is the man for the under-21 job. Someone with a knowledge of the game both in Ireland and abroad is most certainly preferable.

Mark Kinsella, but for the same reasons

[Diggs246]

looks like king may be on the way out:

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/end-of-noel-kings-reign-as-ireland-u21-manager-beckons-37460427.html

I actually think he has been given a big job in "player idenification" and he is not suitable of course. His job will be in part, to convince young dual qualified players to play for the Rep of Ireland.
If he walked into the hotel while you were waiting there with your agent, you would just assume your taxi has arrived early.

[ifk101]

I actually think he has been given a big job in "player idenification" and he is not suitable of course.

That is his role at the FAI. If you read the press release, it states "I'm sure that he (King) will be successful continuing his work with the Player Identification programme".

[Diggs246]

That is his role at the FAI. If you read the press release, it states "I'm sure that he (King) will be successful continuing his work with the Player Identification programme".

My God help us, your right

[SkStu]

If he walked into the hotel while you were waiting there with your agent, you would just assume your taxi has arrived early.

Hahahaha :D

[DeLorean]

That gave me a good laugh too, brilliant Diggs! ;)

[seanfhear]

I actually think he has been given a big job in "player idenification" and he is not suitable of course. His job will be in part, to convince young dual qualified players to play for the Rep of Ireland.
If he walked into the hotel while you were waiting there with your agent, you would just assume your taxi has arrived early.
At least he would be giving you a Lift !

[Park_Lane]

Keith Long + Trevor Crolly would be great for the U21's, playing great stuff with Bohs and proven ability at improving young players..

[Kingdom]

Mark Kinsella, but for the same reasons

Mark Kinsella won't get a job of that stature at present.

[DeLorean]

I think the whole World Cup 2002 squad have been mentioned at this stage. :)

[DeLorean]

Steven Reid interested - https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/reid-interested-in-irish-u21-position-37509221.html

[IsMiseSean]

Interesting if you can believe it.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liam-rosenior-targeted-republic-ireland-13601943

[Olé Olé]

Are there no former Ireland players that deserve the opportunity to get involved or are we talking a future Pep Guardiola here in Liam Rosenior?

[tetsujin1979]

Robbie keane is also linked with a coaching role for the under 21 side

[Olé Olé]

Robbie keane is also linked with a coaching role for the under 21 side

Oh I know that. I'm just saying that Liam Rosenior as a fairly average retired pro footballer is a strange link.

[seanfhear]

Oh I know that. I'm just saying that Liam Rosenior as a fairly average retired pro footballer is a strange link.
Martin O’Neill won two European Cups and played for Clough and Captained Northern Ireland . Ok he had some good years as a club manager and some bad ones .

But his day as gone . Mourinho ( who I give as an example , I don’t actually like him ) had no notable playing career has been a good manager . So it does not necessarily follow that you ned to have been a good player . Arsene Wenger the same .

[Olé Olé]

Thanks for demonstrating how knowledgeable you are on football but that's not what I'm getting at. No need to selectively construe my post.

Keith Andrews said he was available to the FAI in the last year and he said they stopped making contact with him. Carsley and Reid aren't on board either. How much have Cunningham and the likes been integrated?

Tom Mohan and Colin O'Brien were lesser players than Rosenior. None of this is my point as I think you probably know.

Why can't we nurture coaching talent and provide such talent to players involved in the Irish system or bring such people into the Irish senior? Why go to the Brighton under 23 coaching card for someone with no link to Ireland and a no CV that should see him skip a queue? He has no buy in to Irish football and why should he? How can he be integrated with a long-term vision and purpose?

Thanks anyway for all those facts anyway.