Next Ireland manager?

[seanfhear]

Left field ...Glenn Hoddle

He was doing a pretty good job with England until he lost the plot on some religious bulls*te or other......

He played a decent style of football and might consider taking the Irish job as Penance for his sins.......

[Closed Account 2]

I wouldn't have a problem with Hoddle, he is tactically astute, has knowledge of the wider European game and I've heard good things about his development of players at his academy in Spain.

The fear I'd have about appointing someone like Kenny is the lack of experience. He's not managed in the upper echelons of European football and he's not really had a notable playing career. If we get to the Euros, which we have a reasonable chance of doing, or somehow get to the World Cup, Kenny has no experience of major tournament football management. By that I mean he has never played in a squad nor managed a squad for a month long tournament. All of our recent previous managers had this, O'Neil / Keane as player, Trap as a manager (possibly a player too), Staunton as player, Kerr as underage manager, MMC as a player, Jack as a player...

[seanfhear]

Would players playing in the premier league or championship have the belief in someone like Stephen Kenny who has not managed at that level and has also not played at that level .

Michael O Neill had played international football and his managerial success coming from Shamrock Rovers might be just one of those once offs .

From a Money point of View ....Sponsorship and Media profile aren't the FAI much more likely to go with some one with a higher media profile...........

[nigel-harps1954]

I can't believe some of the suggestions over Stephen Kenny.

Glenn Hoddle?! Are you having a laugh?!

Let's look at some of Kennys underdog achievements.

Longford Town, took over at the age of 27. Took a small provincial team to Premier Division, took them to the FAI Cup final, and qualified for the UEFA Cup with them. TWENTY-SEVEN years of age.

Bohemians, took a struggling side away from relegation fears and reached the FAI Cup final in one season. He won the league with them the following year.

At Derry City, he turned them into league challengers from relegation candidates. They went on their ridiculous European run, reaching the First Round proper of the UEFA Cup under him, beating Gretna, Gothenburg and gaining a 0-0 draw with PSG, only being beaten in the second leg in Paris. He also won four league cups while there.

Dunfermline was a mixed bag. He took over a team who were being hammered week in, week out in the middle of their season. Still, he managed to get them to the Scottish Cup final, although they were relegated in the end. He had a crap second season, despite still reaching the Scottish Challenge Cup final.

He won the First Division in one attempt at Derry on his return.

His exploits at Dundalk are well recorded at this stage. From almost being relegated the season before he took over, he took them to second in the league followed by 3 league titles in a row, winning a League Cup and FAI Cup along the way. The European exploits are well enough documented without having to go into them.


Despite all this, he's still a young manager at only 45 years of age. He's won 16 trophies in his managerial career to date.


But, because he's not got top level experience of people like Glenn Hoddle...

[Stuttgart88]

From a Money point of View ....Sponsorship and Media profile aren't the FAI much more likely to go with some one with a higher media profile...........Personally I think the FAI should look to a cheaper option than the money they are paying MON and RK whose value-for-money is questionable. If you look at the bigger picture, a local manager like Kenny picking the occasional local player, increasing the connection between domestic and international football (it’s happening anyway – the LOI underage leagues are there to reduce reliance on UK exports) would work for the FAI’s coffers in the longer term.

A few guys I speak to via WhatsApp think the likes of Steven Reid, Keith Andrews and Lee Carsley could be very credible candidates to have around someone like Kenny. Decent, hungry, cerebral guys with international playing experience and coaching qualifications.

Regardless of how the group finishes that’s what I’d like. A management team that will build a squad around the best of the current squad and the likes of Egan, Kelly, Rice, Doherty, Cunningham etc as part of the 23, not the 37. A management team that refuses to make excuses from day 1 about not having world superstars. A management team that appreciates that the international team is part of a bigger national game. I’m probably a bit naive but I think the FAI is looking this way now. Yes, they still neglect the LOI but at the same time the LOI is being favoured over the schoolboy cartels.


I think Trap left the public cold and MON has only warmed things up a little. The likes of Paul Rowan said from the start that he wasn't treating the job seriously enough. I saw Walford on the touchline last night in his suit, loafers and no socks and I thought WTF, why is he even there?

[seanfhear]

The success of Michael O' Neill has been inspirational.....but is it a one off .

Was Brian Kerr given the same chance as a supposedly big name /profile .

I thought Kerr probably deserved another campaign but for whatever reasons he was not given it......

[Closed Account 2]

Would players playing in the premier league or championship have the belief in someone like Stephen Kenny who has not managed at that level and has also not played at that level .

I think that is a very salient point. I'm not sure Stephen Kenny would instill that much confidence in our players, he could come across as inexperienced. When the chips are down would he have the gravitas of a more well known manager.

The other aspect is with all the eligibility rules we are now in competition with other nations for players. Grealish and Keane have gone to England and Ampadu looks like he will go to Wales, if we have a high profile manager who is well known for developing players then that gives us an advantage, imagine if we got someone like Thomas Teuchel, Mira Luchescu or Andre Villas Boas, players would want to play under them.

[seanfhear]

I think that is a very salient point. I'm not sure Stephen Kenny would instill that much confidence in our players, he could come across as inexperienced. When the chips are down would he have the gravitas of a more well known manager.

The other aspect is with all the eligibility rules we are now in competition with other nations for players. Grealish and Keane have gone to England and Ampadu looks like he will go to Wales, if we have a high profile manager who is well known for developing players then that gives us an advantage, imagine if we got someone like Thomas Teuchel, Mira Luchescu or Andre Villas Boas, players would want to play under them.I was thinking Chris Hughton....if he wanted it at this stage of his career.........Brendan Rogers.....if he wanted it at this stage of his career...

Obviously I'd like someone with an Irish connection . Will the Politically Correct Mob Put me in Prison........?

[ger121]

If Denis doesn't front up on the salary side, then it will leave Fran and Irene with a smaller budget to work with and that will eliminate a lot of potential candidates. My own personal preference would be Kenny. He is a young Manager with a modern philosophy on how to play football and has proven he can be successful at stepping up to a higher level. I think the FAI would target Hughton but would he leave the Premier League for International Football.

[NeverFeltBetter]

The moment anything went wrong for Stephen Kenny, Ireland Manager, the press would eviscerate him for "inexperience", "not knowing the top leagues", "not commanding respect for players". The narrative writes itself there, and it would all end in tears, regrettably.

[geysir]

After months of speculation, rumours, 24/7 airport watch, betting shutdowns, the mantle will simply be handed over to deputy Roy.

[Stuttgart88]

If Denis doesn't front up on the salary side, then it will leave Fran and Irene with a smaller budget to work with and that will eliminate a lot of potential candidates. My own personal preference would be Kenny. He is a young Manager with a modern philosophy on how to play football and has proven he can be successful at stepping up to a higher level. I think the FAI would target Hughton but would he leave the Premier League for International Football.I'm not sure he'll be in the EPL for very long!

[swinfordfc]

Our current, and previous, managers are probably paid more than any other manager we've had. Both qualified for tournaments.

Our current manager wouldn't be qualifying for the next tournament!

[DannyInvincible]

The success of Michael O' Neill has been inspirational.....but is it a one off .

I don't think Michael O'Neill's achievements can be dismissed as "a once-off" in the sense he had outstanding success at Rovers. He finished second in the LOI with them in 2009, won it in both 2010 (Rovers' first title since 1994) and 2011 and qualified them for the 2011/12 Europa League group-stages. Rovers finished fourth the season after he left and didn't manage a top-three finish again until 2015.

O'Neill followed up his time at Rovers with phenomenal success for NI. He's dragged them out of the doldrums and, despite their modest and limited playing pool, brought them to the Euros last summer. He's consistently maintained that form and it now looks like they could be on their way to Russia next summer as well after another seriously impressive qualification campaign. He's clearly tactically-astute and his teams play with an evident game-plan as well as a bit of imagination.

In what sense could all that be described as "a once-off"?


Was Brian Kerr given the same chance as a supposedly big name /profile .

I thought Kerr probably deserved another campaign but for whatever reasons he was not given it......

I concur. I thought Kerr was unjustly treated as well as we were competitive that campaign in what was a tough, evenly-matched group and we only just missed out in the final game. I think he was a victim of his lesser profile - the FAI and public would probably be prepared to be more patient with an established high-flyer - and weren't their also murmurs that many of the players didn't respect him or take his approach seriously (perhaps on account of his relatively humble footballing background in contrast to what many of them might have been used to in the EPL) or, at least, they weren't following his instructions in terms of watching video footage of opponents and doing their homework on tactics? I remember hearing/reading something like that once anyway...

[DannyInvincible]

I think that is a very salient point. I'm not sure Stephen Kenny would instill that much confidence in our players, he could come across as inexperienced. When the chips are down would he have the gravitas of a more well known manager.

A few players in and around the squad have already worked directly with him - McClean, Horgan, Ward, Boyle and Maguire, for example - and plenty of our other players have come through the LOI (which is different to how things were when, say, Kerr, who had an LOI background, was in charge), so I wouldn't see any issue for him with these players, at least. I'm sure they'd respect him and hold his evident achievements in high regard on account of their own backgrounds or experience of him.

[KrisLetang]

But would they trust a man with two first names? I sure wouldn't.

[Closed Account 2]

I was thinking Chris Hughton....if he wanted it at this stage of his career.........Brendan Rogers.....if he wanted it at this stage of his career...


Rodgers would be a great appointment but I think he might feel he's on the verge of something special at Celtic such as winning a record number of domestic leagues or making waves in Europe (e.g. getting far in the Europa League), I don't know if we could prize him away from Parkhead.

I'm not a huge fan of Chris Hughton due to incidents between him and Irish fans away in Tel Aviv a number of years ago, but as a manager he would be a fair shout. He did well at Newcastle.

[KrisLetang]

Maybe Garry Monk will get fired and we can hire him. Someone young-ish.
Or a second go around with Steve Staunton? He's learned a lot since his first try insists himself.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Rodgers would be a great appointment but I think he might feel he's on the verge of something special at Celtic such as winning a record number of domestic leagues or making waves in Europe (e.g. getting far in the Europa League), I don't know if we could prize him away from Parkhead.

I'm not a huge fan of Chris Hughton due to incidents between him and Irish fans away in Tel Aviv a number of years ago, but as a manager he would be a fair shout. He did well at Newcastle.

What happened?

[IsMiseSean]

I'm not a huge fan of Chris Hughton due to incidents between him and Irish fans away in Tel Aviv a number of years ago

What's this? I never heard anything about an incident, and I was there and all.

[Closed Account 2]

Some of the younger players were watching the match next to the Irish fans and he got a bit tetchy (to put it mildly) about this interaction and moved them away - this would be well over a decade ago.

[IsMiseSean]

this would be well over a decade ago.

March 2005, it was Easter weekend. Jerusalem was jammed with crazy religious people, they ruined my trip to Jerusalem & the Dead Sea. I've been an atheist ever since.

[geysir]

Israel away has a memory of some irish fans complaining that Kerr was on the sidelines telling players not to advance up the field, when he was in fact telling them to use their heads and get up the field or something like that. There's nowt like fans.

We could do with an English manager who has a monster grudge against the English FA, like Charlton had, like Big Sam now, one who has something to prove on an international level and wreak some cold dish revenge at the same time. Big Sam would also tick all the FAI trendy life coach's boxes, he's have buckets of motivation, ambition and the skill sets to do a good job

[Closed Account 2]

Dudu Awate (for those looking for pronunciation tips it rhymes with t**t) played in that game, but it was the match in Dublin where he really took the ****

[Closed Account 2]

We could do with an English manager who has a monster grudge against the English FA, like Charlton had, like Big Sam now, one who has something to prove on an international level and wreak some cold dish revenge at the same time. Big Sam would also tick all the FAI trendy life coach's boxes, he's have buckets of motivation, ambition and the skill sets to do a good job

Or heaven help us, Harry Redknapp. Is there a direct flight from Bournemouth to Dublin. Being paid in euros would suit him as there would be no fx conversion costs paying it into the bank in Monaco.

[Closed Account 2]

I don't think Michael O'Neill's achievements can be dismissed as "a once-off" in the sense he had outstanding success at Rovers.

O'Neill was also a reasonably experienced footballer before he took up management. He played at a reasonable level in Scotland and England, got quite a few caps for Northern Ireland and at one stage was signing for Sturm Graz (at the time they were playing CL football with reasonably well known players like Polster and Vastic - the sort of level Shakthar Donetsk are now).

He played in the MLS too, which might not have the best level of talent, but is highly regarded from a sports science point of view (like all American sports) and he may have imparted some of this knowledge now managing Northern Ireland.

[OwlsFan]

Looks like it's going to be MORK again so this thread can be put to bed.

[Closed Account 2]

But would they trust a man with two first names? I sure wouldn't.

What about Keith Andrews there's a case for saying he has three first names (1 * Keith, 2 * Andrew(s) ). Matt Holland could impart the experience of a whole nation.

[Closed Account 2]

Worryingly Arry is now available

[backstothewall]

I wonder if Guus Hiddink would be interested?

[IsMiseSean]

Saudi Arabia sacked Bert van Marwijk right after he guided them to the World Cup in Russia.
Led the Dutch to the World Cup final in 2010 but followed it up with a similar Euros to us in 2012.

[brine3]

I'd rather we didn't go after a big name.

We should have snapped up Michael O'Neill when we had the chance.

[tetsujin1979]

Is Delaney had gone after Michael O'Neill when Martin O'Neill was available, there would have been war

[brine3]

That's the problem, all of Delaney's decisions are based on media optics. He's not the type of guy who is going to make a brave decision.

[tetsujin1979]

Appointing Staunton had almost no support right from the beginning.

[gastric]

That's the problem, all of Delaney's decisions are based on media optics. He's not the type of guy who is going to make a brave decision.

Staunton was a brave, if stupid decision. Once bitten, twice shy. Given a choice of O'Neill/Keane over Michael O' Neill who can honestly blame Delaney for his choice. And how many at that time argued that Michael O'Neill was a better choice? BTW, it does stick in my throat defending Delaney.

[brine3]

Staunton was a brave, if stupid decision. Once bitten, twice shy. Given a choice of O'Neill/Keane over Michael O' Neill who can honestly blame Delaney for his choice. And how many at that time argued that Michael O'Neill was a better choice? BTW, it does stick in my throat defending Delaney.

I guess a more accurate description would be that Delaney is lazy.

He appointed Staunton because he knew him and he was cheap.

Then Denis O'Brien came along with a sack full of money and told him to appoint Trap. And so it was done. Same with MONKEANO.

Difficult to know what Delaney actually does.

[jbyrne]

I guess a more accurate description would be that Delaney is lazy.

He appointed Staunton because he knew him and he was cheap.

............

Difficult to know what Delaney actually does.

delaney was impressed by stan during the wc 2002 player bonuses negotiations and got the job on the back of it. i heard that from the same reliable source that told me stan would get the job long before stans name was even nearly being mentioned as a candidate.

love him or hate him delaney has turned the FAIs financial fortunes around. the FAIs turnover is many multiples of what it was before he took over. that doesnt sit easy with most fans but its the truth

[tricky_colour]

Has anyone mentioned Mick McCarthy yet? Well I just did. (seems he has been mentioned).
Ipswich will top the Championship if they win their game in hand.
What about Brian Kerr? The Faroes did well after he left, maybe he started something?

[Dunners]

Can't see past big Sam , solid defence , organised team , danger from set pieces, will make people want to avoid us again

[mark12345]

Can't see past big Sam , solid defence , organised team , danger from set pieces, will make people want to avoid us again

Yeah it will. Fans included.

[seanfhear]

Can't see past big Sam , solid defence , organised team , danger from set pieces, will make people want to avoid us againThats not very different from what we are now .

In fairness at Club Level does anyone do it better....Perhaps Tony Pulis is near .

Would International Managers have the same amount of time to organise .

If Big Sam had the Same success as Big Jack a lot of people would..ahem..live with the not so pleasant football......Big Sam would probably be expensive as he like nice big earners .

[Gather round]

There's another candidate coming out of left-field.

Experience across Europe? Turkey, Italy, Switzerland as well as Scotland and England.

Played at high level: 50 international caps, now semi-retired from club football.

Assured and witty media performer. "I'd quite fancy playing Argentina and Brazil in the Euros".

Subtle diplomatic skills in conflict situations- Celtic and Rangers fans both hate him equally.

Step forward Big Kyle Laugherty, your time has come ;)

[seanfhear]

There's another candidate coming out of left-field.

Experience across Europe? Turkey, Italy, Switzerland as well as Scotland and England.

Played at high level: 50 international caps, now semi-retired from club football.

Assured and witty media performer. "I'd quite fancy playing Argentina and Brazil in the Euros".

Subtle diplomatic skills in conflict situations- Celtic and Rangers fans both hate him equally.

Step forward Big Kyle Laugherty, your time has come ;)
Surely a Stronger Candidate for Norn Ireland as Michael O'Neill's Successor .

[DeLorean]

Experience across Europe? Turkey, Italy, Switzerland as well as Scotland and England.

Vastly experienced it seems alright. He's okay in my book - http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/rangers/palermo-axe-kyle-lafferty-over-womanising-claims-1-3458813

[seanfhear]

Vastly experienced it seems alright. He's okay in my book - http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/rangers/palermo-axe-kyle-lafferty-over-womanising-claims-1-3458813Apparently he was scoring a lot off the Pitch......which was effecting his performance on the field.

Sadly Scores off the field do not come into consideration for league position .

[Lionel Ritchie]

I'd give it to Mick if he wanted it in a heartbeat. ...maybe even Roy might stay on in the same capacity.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I'd give it to Mick if he wanted it in a heartbeat. ...maybe even Roy might stay on in the same capacity.

Yes, and maybe Roy will let Mick sleep with his wife too.

*canned laughter*

[Lionel Ritchie]

delaney was impressed by stan during the wc 2002 player bonuses negotiations and got the job on the back of it. i heard that from the same reliable source that told me stan would get the job long before stans name was even nearly being mentioned as a candidate.

love him or hate him delaney has turned the FAIs financial fortunes around. the FAIs turnover is many multiples of what it was before he took over. that doesnt sit easy with most fans but its the truth


It's a partial truth though and the turnover is from a very low base.

I dunno about 'turned the FAIs financial fortunes around either'. The debts have been 'restructured' til no ones really sure when, we're saddled with a stadium we will never own or extract non-football income from -but on which there are still repayments to be made. This affects football beyond the international setup and the pale as well. As any Limerick supporter will tell you -potentially lucrative initiatives for LoI teams such as friendlies, testemonials etc against glamourous opposition are now verbotten as those teams visits are now strictly reserved for pre-season insert-name-of-sponsor cup tournaments to service debts on that same stadium we'll never own. Adding insult to injury - getting to play against big shiney foreign teams gets presented as part of your 'prize' for winning the LoI. Thats as far as I'm going with his contempt for the LoI.
Servicing the debts on the stadium also means there is zero prospect of Ireland ever playing anywhere but there. Meaning competetive internationals that could and should be played away from LR cannot happen. We should be playing San Marino at the Showground, Armenia in Thomond Park etc. No hope ever.

Then there's the precedent of the 'marquee manager' that he's set with Trap. shur that'll look like he's doing something. The Irish managers job was already relatively well paid since Micks time. Now we're paying over the odds and need the assistance of benefactors to make sure the cheque clears. So basically as we go forward it is not unlikely that anyone who's managed in the premier league for a wet weekend is going to be asking "where's MY 2 million quid?"

To be fair -there has been some of the much vaunted investment in 'grassroots' -anyone who visits junior football grounds with any frequesncy can't help but notice. But it hasn't been anything like as extensive as anywhere comparable. Iceland with the population of Cork put in what we have and more without it being noticed til they were in the knockout stages. His Welsh counterpart, who has overseen a genuine revolution in their setup and fortunes, has done it on half the salary Delaney draws.

Then there's the fact that he runs the FAI and it's engagment with the press and the supporters like he's the head honcho of one of those countries who have the words Democratic Republic in their official moniker and emphasise them at every turn as if an ironic in-joke on their being neither especially democratic nor in any real way republics.

[bennocelt]

delaney was impressed by stan during the wc 2002 player bonuses negotiations and got the job on the back of it. i heard that from the same reliable source that told me stan would get the job long before stans name was even nearly being mentioned as a candidate.

love him or hate him delaney has turned the FAIs financial fortunes around. the FAIs turnover is many multiples of what it was before he took over. that doesnt sit easy with most fans but its the truth

Says Mr FAI, yeah 40 million in debt to a stadium they wont even own in the end:rolleyes: