Next Ireland manager?

[gastric]

Acknowledging Dunphy's opinion on anything is liking accepting Trump's policy on paying tax.

[bennocelt]

Acknowledging Dunphy's opinion on anything is liking accepting Trump's policy on paying tax.

So thats a big yes then........:)

[tetsujin1979]

Would Kerr work as a number two, or mentor?

[DeLorean]

I don't get this sudden love-in for Kerr. I actually like him for the most part and, yes, he probably should be involved at some level of Irish football but he had his chance in a big role and ultimately it wasn't very good.

Stephen Kenny is a bit of a reactionary, flavour of the month suggestion. He doesn't have the credentials in my opinion and wouldn't garner the respect required for the role, neither from the media nor the players. He would have it all to prove and enter the firing line almost immediately.

Has his stock not fallen somewhat anyway? John Caulfield isn't exactly hailed for his tactical nous and supposedly managing an inferior, primitive footballing side, yet he has almost completely got Kenny's measure over the last season or two (P 10 W 7 D 2 L 1 F 16 A 5). One of those draws was the FAI Cup win on penalties too. Their childish, small-time bickering at each other wouldn't inspire confidence either. Kenny had one opportunity to produce at a higher level and unfortunately he didn't, quite the opposite in fact.

As for Dunphy's recommendation, get off the stage Eamon!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBT69w2Iw2k

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't think there's any 'sudden' love in for Kerr. For the best part, I think it's fairly widely acknowledged he was rather unlucky in his spell as Ireland manager. People are very quick to criticise him for failing to get out of the group, forgetting McCarthy set the tone for him with that horrible start to the group.

I'd love to see someone like Kerr act as mentor to Stephen Kenny at international level. It would be a totally left field, and somewhat risky choice, but the risky choice paid off handsomely for the north, I don't see why it would be such a no-no for us.

[DeLorean]

There's a lot of talk about how it's a disgrace that Kerr is not involved at some level. It's always been there to a certain extent but I suppose the disaster last week has given it more momentum. Given Kerr's standout contributions to Irish football were at underage level, and we seem to be doing okay in that department right now, I think the desperation to get him back involved it a bit overblown.

I'd have no problem with him being involved though, and if the new or current manager actually wanted him in an advisory role or something similar, that would be okay too I suppose. I don't see the point in suggesting it as a package though, Kenny (or whoever) could be totally anti the idea for a start. I don't really like the idea of a manager needing a formal adviser though really, I think that speaks volumes by itself (e.g. Staunton/Robson).


I think it's fairly widely acknowledged he was rather unlucky in his spell as Ireland manager. People are very quick to criticise him for failing to get out of the group, forgetting McCarthy set the tone for him with that horrible start to the group.

Nobody is judging Kerr on the campaign he tried to salvage after McCarthy's exit, he had another full one after that.

Kerr was nearly three years in the job and never beat a team ranked in the top eighty (I think that's what they said in another video of the RTÉ analysis after that Switzerland game).

[jbyrne]

Nobody is judging Kerr on the campaign he tried to salvage after McCarthy's exit, he had another full one after that.

exactly, we went out of the euros in 2003 without landing a single punch against the swiss in the last game and then again against the swiss in the last wc 2006 qualifier without landing a single punch at home. I gave him the benefit of the doubt after the first swiss 2003 qualifier but our last performance of the 2006 qualifiers was a dreadfully conservative performance.

id have kerr back at underage level but no way for the seniors.

all irrelevant though as id be pretty sure MON will stay on

[tetsujin1979]

I think we needed four points from the last two games in the Euro 2004 campaign (Russia at home and Switzerland away) to be guaranteed of the play offs and we got just one - the draw against Russia. Nobody's denying that the opening two losses put us on the back foot at the beginning of those qualifiers, but Kerr was responsible for how they finished. He was still very much in the honeymoon period, and had the excuse of the opening two games of the qualifiers to fall back on when the qualifiers were reviewed in the media, but those two games foreshadowed the end of the following qualifiers - two games against our main rivals for top spot and earning only one point.

[Kingdom]

Would take him or Bielsa in a heartbeat.

I just jizzed in my pants.

[pineapple stu]

I think it's fairly widely acknowledged he (Kerr) was rather unlucky in his spell as Ireland manager. People are very quick to criticise him for failing to get out of the group, forgetting McCarthy set the tone for him with that horrible start to the group.
I don't agree with that. Far too defensive when it mattered. Throwing away a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes at home to Israel was criminal - and Kerr can take the blame for replacing Keane (who was injured) with Graham Kavanagh. Similar defensive priorities cost us in the return game too.

But I agree he should be involved in the FAI somewhere.

[DannyInvincible]

I don't get this sudden love-in for Kerr. I actually like him for the most part and, yes, he probably should be involved at some level of Irish football but he had his chance in a big role and ultimately it wasn't very good.

Stephen Kenny is a bit of a reactionary, flavour of the month suggestion. He doesn't have the credentials in my opinion and wouldn't garner the respect required for the role, neither from the media nor the players. He would have it all to prove and enter the firing line almost immediately.

Has his stock not fallen somewhat anyway? John Caulfield isn't exactly hailed for his tactical nous and supposedly managing an inferior, primitive footballing side, yet he has almost completely got Kenny's measure over the last season or two (P 10 W 7 D 2 L 1 F 16 A 5). One of those draws was the FAI Cup win on penalties too. Their childish, small-time bickering at each other wouldn't inspire confidence either. Kenny had one opportunity to produce at a higher level and unfortunately he didn't, quite the opposite in fact.

I dunno if it's fair to say that the evident esteem in which people hold Kerr is a love-in all of a sudden. I'd say it's more the case that the apparent tactical illiteracy of O'Neill has provided a stark reminder of the inexplicable reality that the knowledge and insights of the very-much-available Brian Kerr aren't being exploited at any level of Irish football beyond punditry external to the actual running of the game.

I think former LOI players in the squad (and there are a lot more now in comparison to a decade or two ago) would at least respect and look up to Kenny if he was to be put in charge of the international team. In fact, he has already in the past worked directly with a few of the players who are currently in and around the squad; James McClean, Stephen Ward, Daryl Horgan, Seáni Maguire and Andy Boyle, for example. As for the players in the squad who've never played in the LOI, I'd doubt they'd look down upon the league or the fact it's where Kenny made his name considering half of their international team-mates came through it. I think the league commands a greater level of respect now that it didn't have in prior times.

Fair point that Kenny has never done well against Cork. This season, Conor McCormack has been able to stifle Paddy McEleney in virtually every game they played. It is admittedly a concern or a blot of sorts on Kenny's record as he doesn't appear to have found a way to get the better of Cork head-to-head. It would appear to indicate that he may have an Achilles heal. In saying that, I'm not sure Kenny's stock has necessarily fallen of late. Obviously, he hasn't been in the limelight as much recently compared to when Dundalk were in the Europa League, but had they not narrowly missed out on European progression this season to Rosenborg, things might have been different.

Dundalk started the domestic season poorly as Kenny had to re-organise after losing two pivotal players in Horgan and Boyle, but once they got going and into the run of things again, they were very impressive. Dundalk's form in the latter half of the season was superb. They displayed title-winning form towards the end and, whilst they didn't manage to completely close the once-massive gap on Cork, I'm sure there were some nerves on Leeside as Cork stuttered towards the finish line with Dundalk making a late push and closing in. It ended up a lot tighter in the end than anyone would ever have envisaged back in July when Cork showed all the signs of steam-rolling their way to the title with ease.

On Kenny's alleged failure to produce at a higher level, I'd argue that the Europa League merits a "higher level" classification. Simply qualifying for that alone was an amazing achievement, after also having come so close to the Champions League group stage, but the fact his team then went on to pick up four points in the competition and remained very competitive in all their group games far surpassed anyone's wildest expectations.

Dunfermline didn't go well for him on the whole, true, but it wasn't all failure. Dunfermline were already likely relegation candidates when he took over, so he already had a mountain to climb from day one. In spite of this, he still managed to lead them to a Scottish Cup final, beating Hibs in the semi-final, and qualified for Europe despite losing the final to Celtic 1-0. Dunfermline also reached the Scottish Challenge Cup final in his second season.

Just a concluding thought or theory on the apparent spat between Kenny and Caulfield... After Richard Sadlier's involvement with St. Pat's, he once spoke of having attended a conference that had been arranged by some PR gurus to help those running clubs improve their clubs' profiles. According to Sadlier, the consultants running the conference expressly encouraged the idea of brewing or provoking relatively minor controversies, "feuds" and media "storms" in order to cultivate "bitter" rivalries and personas with whom the public could connect or identify and to garner more headlines, exposure, coverage and interest. As far as these consultants were concerned, the odd row in public now and again was of practical benefit to clubs and thus was considered entirely professional, in spite of the negative surface optics. Perhaps there's an aspect of that - pantomime and exaggeration - to the public rowing between Kenny and Caulfield. If not, it all does seem a bit petty, although I've always found Kenny to be very diligent in explaining and defending himself (as he has had to do after being personally and incorrectly accused of various things by Caulfield). Caulfield just strikes me as a bit more emotional, hasty and ill-considered in his declarations and outbursts.

[p2011]

I was about to post something similar. MON needs someone alongside him who "does tactics". You often hear that tactics are overrated, players win games not formations etc., but tactics were clearly our downfall last Tuesday night. Denmark are not 4 goals better than us. Taking off Arter and Meyler (both of whom were doing okay) for McGeady and Hoolahan so early was way too much of a dice roll on a number of fronts. Bringing on Hoolahan would have been a good move, but you need some stability behind him and someone to play the ball in to him (i.e. Arter and Meyler). Playing Hoolahan like that with the carpet pulled from him was just bound to failure. Same holds for McGeady, who was an even bigger dice roll. Removing the two DMs obviously gave Eriksen oceans of space and all of the goals game from that space.

We also had 45 minutes to get two goals without conceding. Surely the approach is get one at some stage during the second half (even on 85 minutes is still OK) and then the stadium goes nuts, the Danes get nervy and you have a chance of a second. Then you can pull your DMs and a central defender and go all-in. There was no need for the wild change of a approach on 45.

Another thing that annoyed me is that Meyler didn't play the 1st game, so was probably one of the freshest lads on the field. Why pull him? Why not Arter? Why not Brady or Hendrick, who clearly weren't having the best of games? Why not Ward off, Brady to LB to keep him on the field for set pieces, and Hoolahan on? Why not Long for Murphy on 45 or 60 minutes, as Murphy was having little impact and looked knackered in both games (and I like the guy).

To get back to the original point: listening to and reading Kerr, it is obvious that he has huge knowledge of the European and world game and an understanding of tactics and shapes and approaches. He was conservative in his stint as a manager, but a bit more conservativeness and shape on Tuesday might have kept us in it longer. How about MON for the motivation skills and for dealing with the press and someone like Kerr (or Kenny for that matter) to stand beside him on the sideline and say to him "let's not take off the two DMs, as they'll run amok, let's make one change and see how it goes". Keane doesn't seem to be the man to offer this kind of input.

It's probably wishful thinking due to the personalities involved, but this kind of a ticket would add the skills currently missing from MON-RK. We have put out some very odd shapes in recent years. The friendly v Mexico was just batsh*t, trying out new(ish) caps and then pulling the rug from under them with the wild formation. An unimportant game, but why blood so many new players in a combination that is just bound to fail.

[DeLorean]

I dunno if it's fair to say that the evident esteem in which people hold Kerr is a love-in all of a sudden.

I explained what I meant by 'sudden' in post #156. I wasn't saying people didn't respect or like him previously. The u-turn from Dunphy is laughable though.


I'd say it's more the case that the apparent tactical illiteracy of O'Neill has provided a stark reminder of the inexplicable reality that the knowledge and insights of the very-much-available Brian Kerr aren't being exploited at any level of Irish football beyond punditry external to the actual running of the game.

Was Kerr really much better tactically when he actually had the job himself? Short memories.


I think former LOI players in the squad (and there are a lot more now in comparison to a decade or two ago) would at least respect and look up to Kenny if he was to be put in charge of the international team. In fact, he has already in the past worked directly with a few of the players who are currently in and around the squad; James McClean, Stephen Ward, Daryl Horgan, Seáni Maguire and Andy Boyle, for example. As for the players in the squad who've never played in the LOI, I'd doubt they'd look down upon the league or the fact it's where Kenny made his name considering half of their international team-mates came through it. I think the league commands a greater level of respect now that it didn't have in prior times.

He's still small time compared to the obvious respect players have for the likes of O'Neill & Keane. It doesn't mean it couldn't work, I just don't think Kenny is justifiably qualified for the job. It would swallow him up, just a personal hunch. I would love to be proved wrong and he repeats his Dundalk accomplishments with us, and does it with style.


Dundalk started the domestic season poorly as Kenny had to re-organise after losing two pivotal players in Horgan and Boyle, but once they got going and into the run of things again, they were very impressive. Dundalk's form in the latter half of the season was superb. They displayed title-winning form towards the end and, whilst they didn't manage to completely close the once-massive gap on Cork, I'm sure there were some nerves on Leeside as Cork stuttered towards the finish line with Dundalk making a late push and closing in. It ended up a lot tighter in the end than anyone would ever have envisaged back in July when Cork showed all the signs of steam-rolling their way to the title with ease.

Cork stuttered after losing two of their best players, one of which was irreplaceable. It would have been virtually impossible to maintain the form they were in for a full season anyway, but they still won pulling up. It was never really in doubt. Yes, Dundalk went on a brilliant run themselves but were still outplayed when they went to Turners Cross needing a win. Anyway, I'm not doubting Kenny's credentials at LOI level, he's clearly brilliant, just making the point that he's been outwitted on a regular basis by a manager who isn't held in anywhere near as high a regard.


On Kenny's alleged failure to produce at a higher level, I'd argue that the Europa League merits a "higher level" classification. Simply qualifying for that alone was an amazing achievement, after also having come so close to the Champions League group stage, but the fact his team then went on to pick up four points in the competition and remained very competitive in all their group games far surpassed anyone's wildest expectations.

They did, and it was absolutely brilliant, but it's a cup run/once off at the end of the day, for now at least.


Dunfermline didn't go well for him on the whole, true, but it wasn't all failure. Dunfermline were already likely relegation candidates when he took over, so he already had a mountain to climb from day one. In spite of this, he still managed to lead them to a Scottish Cup final, beating Hibs in the semi-final, and qualified for Europe despite losing the final to Celtic 1-0. Dunfermline also reached the Scottish Challenge Cup final in his second season.

I think you're clutching at straws a bit here. They had a very good cup run but were second bottom of the Scottish Championship when he was sacked! It was a disaster.


Just a concluding thought or theory on the apparent spat between Kenny and Caulfield... After Richard Sadlier's involvement with St. Pat's, he once spoke of having attended a conference that had been arranged by some PR gurus to help those running clubs improve their clubs' profiles. According to Sadlier, the consultants running the conference expressly encouraged the idea of brewing or provoking relatively minor controversies, "feuds" and media "storms" in order to cultivate "bitter" rivalries and personas with whom the public could connect or identify and to garner more headlines, exposure, coverage and interest. As far as these consultants were concerned, the odd row in public now and again was of practical benefit to clubs and thus was considered entirely professional, in spite of the negative surface optics. Perhaps there's an aspect of that - pantomime and exaggeration - to the public rowing between Kenny and Caulfield. If not, it all does seem a bit petty, although I've always found Kenny to be very diligent in explaining and defending himself (as he has had to do after being personally and incorrectly accused of various things by Caulfield). Caulfield just strikes me as a bit more emotional, hasty and ill-considered in his declarations and outbursts.

I find Caulfield very articulate, even if he is a passionate sort as well. I agree that a lot of the 'feuds' are for show, but they both lack the charisma to pull it off. Instead of being appealing, it's completely irritating/boring.

[tetsujin1979]

Another possible negative for Kenny is he didn't get anywhere near his best from Sean Maguire

[DeLorean]

I was about to post something similar. MON needs someone alongside him who "does tactics". You often hear that tactics are overrated, players win games not formations etc., but tactics were clearly our downfall last Tuesday night. Denmark are not 4 goals better than us. Taking off Arter and Meyler (both of whom were doing okay) for McGeady and Hoolahan so early was way too much of a dice roll on a number of fronts. Bringing on Hoolahan would have been a good move, but you need some stability behind him and someone to play the ball in to him (i.e. Arter and Meyler). Playing Hoolahan like that with the carpet pulled from him was just bound to failure. Same holds for McGeady, who was an even bigger dice roll. Removing the two DMs obviously gave Eriksen oceans of space and all of the goals game from that space.

We also had 45 minutes to get two goals without conceding. Surely the approach is get one at some stage during the second half (even on 85 minutes is still OK) and then the stadium goes nuts, the Danes get nervy and you have a chance of a second. Then you can pull your DMs and a central defender and go all-in. There was no need for the wild change of a approach on 45.

Another thing that annoyed me is that Meyler didn't play the 1st game, so was probably one of the freshest lads on the field. Why pull him? Why not Arter? Why not Brady or Hendrick, who clearly weren't having the best of games? Why not Ward off, Brady to LB to keep him on the field for set pieces, and Hoolahan on? Why not Long for Murphy on 45 or 60 minutes, as Murphy was having little impact and looked knackered in both games (and I like the guy).

I think nearly everybody would agree with all of this. The substitutions were bizarre beyond comprehension, with foresight as well as hindsight.


To get back to the original point: listening to and reading Kerr, it is obvious that he has huge knowledge of the European and world game and an understanding of tactics and shapes and approaches. He was conservative in his stint as a manager, but a bit more conservativeness and shape on Tuesday might have kept us in it longer. How about MON for the motivation skills and for dealing with the press and someone like Kerr (or Kenny for that matter) to stand beside him on the sideline and say to him "let's not take off the two DMs, as they'll run amok, let's make one change and see how it goes". Keane doesn't seem to be the man to offer this kind of input.

O'Neill messed up with the substitutions, but defensive solidity it hardly something he needs lessons in from Kenny (in particular) or Kerr. I'm sure Roy Keane could see it if the rest of us could, but it's O'Neill's call.

[backstothewall]

This is starting to look a lot less theoretical!

[Olé Olé]

What's everyone thinking now? Is Mick McCarthy the safest best? How I would love Hughton to get it but unlikely. Is Stephen Kenny a risk?

[backstothewall]

I jotted down a quick list of potential candidates who are available, or who might be. I've assumed we won't be paying compensation to get anyone who is already in work elsewhere.

Mick McCarthy
Thomas Tuchel
Peter Bosz
Ronald Koeman
Mark Hughes
Bernd Schuster
Carlo Ancelotti
Manuel Pellegrini
Carlos Queiroz
Guus Hiddink
Louis Van Gaal
Michael O'Neill
John Sheridan
Stephen Kenny
Jurgen Klinsmann
Laurent Blanc
Luis Enrique
Marcelo Bielsa
Sven Goran Eriksson
Thomas Schaaf
Jean Tigana
Paul Clement
Sinisa Mihailjovic
Alex McLeish
Martin Jol
Brian McDermott
David O'Leary
Glenn Hoddle
Roberto Di Matteo
Gary Monk

[NeverFeltBetter]

McCarthy the front-runner, if he actually wants to come back. Michael O'Neill would be a coup. Think Stephen Kenny would be a great pick, but for the fact that the media would eviscerate him the moment things started to go even slightly wrong.

Some of those high-profile names would be beyond us I think.

[DeLorean]

McCarthy is only contracted until the summer so I suppose the compensation wouldn't be huge. We could probably plod along until then anyway if needs be. I'd be happy enough with that choice.

[Diggs246]

Roy would be a bad choice, one good season as a manager
S.Kenny I would be risky with as no experience in a fully Pro league and no international experience
Mick would be a grand choice , but I would go for Michael O'Neill and I think he would go for us as well

[seanfhear]

It sure would be interesting to see if Michael O’ Neill would take the Republic of Ireland Job .

Perhaps he could amalgamate the two teams just for the crack .

[Stuttgart88]

Lee Carsley and Steven Reid are names I'd like to see in the mix in some capacity

[backstothewall]

Lee Carsley and Steven Reid are names I'd like to see in the mix in some capacity

I'd like Enda McNulty to be part of the backroom staff. I think the number of times we threw away leads in the last campaign is a sign that the mental toughness of the squad could be improved, and he has a track record of helping Irish sportsmen and women with that in the past

[elroy]

I would be happy with Mick McC as he played decent football with us before and did well with a limited enough team, though probably more limited now. Think he would be interested, big difficulty is the history there which would be trotted out as soon as something goes wrong.

The criteria should be a manager who has shown an ability to perform well with limited resources particularly in cup competitions. Arguably Stephen Kenny is in that bracket.

[jbyrne]

I would be happy with Mick McC as he played decent football with us before and did well with a limited enough team, though probably more limited now. Think he would be interested, big difficulty is the history there which would be trotted out as soon as something goes wrong.


we don't deserve mick back the way he was treated the last time. throughout his reign he had the media and many fans on his back culminating in the dreadful treatment he received at the swiss loss in 2002. absolutely loved following the team when he was in charge and would have him back in a flash but external factors like the media and the deluded expectations from many of our fans might put him off coming back

[TrapAPony]

I jotted down a quick list of potential candidates who are available, or who might be. I've assumed we won't be paying compensation to get anyone who is already in work elsewhere.

Mick McCarthy
Thomas Tuchel
Peter Bosz
Ronald Koeman
Mark Hughes
Bernd Schuster
Carlo Ancelotti
Manuel Pellegrini
Carlos Queiroz
Guus Hiddink
Louis Van Gaal
Michael O'Neill
John Sheridan
Stephen Kenny

^Queiroz and Pellegrini are currently managing



To add to the list above :

Jurgen Klinsmann
Laurent Blanc
Luis Enrique
Marcelo Bielsa
Sven Goran Eriksson
Thomas Schaaf
Jean Tigana
Paul Clement
Sinisa Mihailjovic
Alex McLeish
Martin Jol
Brian McDermott
David O'Leary
Glenn Hoddle
Roberto Di Matteo
Gary Monk

[NeverFeltBetter]

David O'Leary still manages?

[DeLorean]

we don't deserve mick back the way he was treated the last time. throughout his reign he had the media and many fans on his back culminating in the dreadful treatment he received at the swiss loss in 2002. absolutely loved following the team when he was in charge and would have him back in a flash but external factors like the media and the deluded expectations from many of our fans might put him off coming back

A timely interview with The Irish Sun from a couple of days ago - https://www.thesun.ie/news/2021675/mick-mccarthy-says-becoming-irelands-football-manager-after-jack-charlton-in-1996-was-the-most-bonkers-and-best-decision-of-his-life/


It rankles me that I left Ireland on such a sour note after the Switzerland game.

Had I left after the World Cup, had I just walked away and done another job, I think my profile and legacy would have been looked at differently and better.

But I stayed on because I had Kevin Kilbane, Robbie Keane, Damien Duff. I’d built a really good side, I didn’t want to walk away from that.

Sounds a bit like unfinished business to me?

[NeverFeltBetter]

An argument for and against the likelihood of McCarthy being offered the job could be the way thing stand at Ipswich. They've reverted under him after a good few seasons in the first half of his tenure, 16th last season, 12th currently. McCarthy might well want to get away and try something new having spent most of the last decade scrapping in the Championship or battling EPL relegation but, then again, has he really accomplished all that much to be considered next to other candidates?

[Diggs246]

otto Hitzfeld is 68 ( younger than I thought) If he can speak English, I would take him on a 2 year. if he is arsed getting out of retirement. but M. ONeill should be the number one target

[Olé Olé]

He's had very little to work with. He's relying on two failed SPL strikers this season, for instance.

One reservation I would harbour is that he may rue having a lesser team/side than his last tenure. Duff, Keane, Keane and Given don't have any comparatives in the present.

[backstothewall]

^Queiroz and Pellegrini are currently managing

Indeed they are. But they could probably both be got if there was an interest there. We would have to wait until after the World Cup in the case of Queiroz but i think he is a very realistic option. He speaks English and should have some knowledge of the English leagues from his time with Man U. He has been in international management since '09, so it seems to suit him. A European nation with a decent chance of qualification for the Euros is probably a good opportunity for anyone in that situation, and given that he has had 2 sells in charge of Portugal he is probably unlikely to get the call from them.

The Big Mick option is very tempting though.

p.s. I copy and pasted your list onto the end of mine. I thought it might be handy to have everyone suggested as an option, likely or otherwise, in one place.

[samhaydenjr]

He's had very little to work with. He's relying on two failed SPL strikers this season, for instance.

One reservation I would harbour is that he may rue having a lesser team/side than his last tenure. Duff, Keane, Keane and Given don't have any comparatives in the present.

Might not be too much of a problem - remember he inherited an aging squad from Jack. Duff and Robbie Keane didn't break through for two years after he took over and AFAIR I think Given was a young long-shot who only made his debut in Mick's first game in charge because Alan Kelly was unavailable. Plus Roy was a bit of a double-edged sword during his tenure. And I think we actually have a pretty talented midfield with Brady, Hendrick, McCarthy, McClean and Arter, a fairly solid defence, a couple of good quality keepers as well as some young talent coming through that Mick might be well-placed to get the most out of - the likes of Rice, Cullen, Browne, Kelly, Horgan, Hogan, O'Dowda, Hourihane, Maguire and others should get an opportunity to step up before the next qualifiers start and by the time the next World Cup rolls around, some of the prospects that are doing very well at under-age level will hopefully have broken through.

Would also be nice to have the National Team go out and play to win, rather than play to avoid defeat with the hope of sneaking a winner

[Olé Olé]

To be honest, I was a bit young during Mick's tenure to be offering any proper analysis of it and how another tenure may pan out. I can see why you're confident regarding the younger players. He's clearly shown a willingness at Ipswich to play young lads. Whether that is borne out of necessity is another thing.

[colonelwest]

An argument for and against the likelihood of McCarthy being offered the job could be the way thing stand at Ipswich. They've reverted under him after a good few seasons in the first half of his tenure, 16th last season, 12th currently. McCarthy might well want to get away and try something new having spent most of the last decade scrapping in the Championship or battling EPL relegation but, then again, has he really accomplished all that much to be considered next to other candidates?


To be fair to Mick he's worked wonders there since Marcus Evans stopped spending any cash at all for the last few years.

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/ipswich-town/english-football-teams/ipswich-town-transfers

Looking like O'Neill is staying anyway, him and his team are going to the SWA tonight after all.

[mark12345]

Lee Carsley and Steven Reid are names I'd like to see in the mix in some capacity

Both very good choices. Of the two I'd like to see Carsley perhaps with Damien Duff or Brian Kerr as his back up to keep the link to the domestic game.

[OwlsFan]

Both very good choices. Of the two I'd like to see... Brian Kerr as his back up to keep the link to the domestic game.

Having once been the organ grinder, I am not sure he'd like to return to being the monkey.

[DannyInvincible]

I'd like Enda McNulty to be part of the backroom staff. I think the number of times we threw away leads in the last campaign is a sign that the mental toughness of the squad could be improved, and he has a track record of helping Irish sportsmen and women with that in the past

Jim McGuinness is actually the "third most-backed candidate" to replace O'Neill (if O'Neill leaves), according to the Irish Mirror: https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/jim-mcguinness-martin-oneill-manager-11845065

[geysir]

Perhaps those type betting lists have a deliberately bizarre element, designed to separate money from the type of people who throw coins into a fountain.
I see Gordon Strachan's name wasn't anywhere on the PP list. I don't he failed at Scotland, just didn't succeed and it must be said he had to work with a genetically compromised bunch of players.

[DeLorean]

Is it possible? - https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/comment-ambitious-robbie-keane-is-an-ireland-boss-in-waiting-36673899.html

[osarusan]

Is it possible? - https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/comment-ambitious-robbie-keane-is-an-ireland-boss-in-waiting-36673899.html

No greater endorsement than words of praise from managerial wizard Stephen Bradley:D.

I'd like to see him cut his teeth elsewhere before getting involved with Ireland tbh. Staunton is an example of how such a transition can go wrong.

[DeLorean]

Staunton is an example of how such a transition can go wrong.

Yes, we won't shake that lesson too easily. Keane seems to have a bit more about him that Staunton though I would hope. Mark Hughes & Gary Speed had little or no managerial experience when they took the Wales job and did okay.

[DeLorean]

Eamon Sweeney making the case for Stephen Kenny - https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/eamonn-sweeney-time-for-fai-to-offer-kenny-biggest-job-in-irish-football-37491988.html

[backstothewall]

I have serious doubts about Kenny. I find it hard to imagine that premier league players wouldn't have preconceived ideas about a league of Ireland manager. TBH I think it would go wrong very quickly because he would struggle to establish his authority.

I know people will point to the success Michael O'Neill has had with the north but he has a great career and got 30 odd caps. I think it's different because he was looked upon as an equal by the playing shuad.

[tetsujin1979]

Kerr had a similar problem. The players he had worked with at youth level obviously looked up to him, but I was never sure how much respect he got from players who didn't know him

[Olé Olé]

Interesting one. Gary Breen was on OTB during the week and said that he doesn't think it matters a bit. He said once the manager comes in and impresses from the off then there won't be any issue with the players. That was his virs anyway.

[Diggs246]

Interesting one. Gary Breen was on OTB during the week and said that he doesn't think it matters a bit. He said once the manager comes in and impresses from the off then there won't be any issue with the players. That was his virs anyway.

If he has the right stuff he can get their respect. My concern is more straight forward. If he is the bees knees what in the name of Jesus is he doing in the LOI. Its not like he blow them away in Scotland either

[SkStu]

If he has the right stuff he can get their respect. My concern is more straight forward. If he is the bees knees what in the name of Jesus is he doing in the LOI. Its not like he blow them away in Scotland either

The league has a lot to be proud of and we need to celebrate the success stories we have and not compare ourselves to our neighbours. It’s so insecure. The league is the only viable future for the success of our national team whether most care to admit it or not.

Kenny in Scotland was a long time ago. It’s fair to assume he’s learnt and grown a lot since then.

[sbgawa]

I'd love to see Kenny get the Ireland job i might even start going to watch them again as ive given up at this stage as we are so dreadful to watch.
At the end of the day how much worse could the results be and at least we might try to play a bit of football