The Next Ireland Manager

[SkStu]

Im with you on Paul cooke no thanks

but can I just ask a direct question, would you object to either chis hughton or Chis wilder? and if so why?
( obviously only of kenny is sacked )

I think Chris Wilder would be an interesting candidate, and one who is available. While i wont say his stock is on the wane, his last season was truly awful. His managerial record isn't really full of inspirational achievements though, SUFC promotion notwithstanding. That said, I would be open to him being considered for the role when Kenny is sacked. :)

I am not as enamoured with Hughton to be honest. While he has a good record and is a flexible coach (practical, not married to a particular formation etc), I feel he might be past his best before date. I dont see him taking Forest anywhere and think that might be his last high profile gig. He is also not available and doesn't seem too interested (or maybe the timing simply has never aligned). Can we afford him? In the event Kenny was to go and he was available, he'd be another name i'd be fine with to be considered.

[SkStu]

I should have said 'elements within the pro SK camp'. There have been a few that have said they'd like him to stay on for the euro campaign which implies a contract extension. I certainly wouldn't advocate getting rid of him until his contract is up unless there's a very compelling reason to i.e. a manager we want becomes available and is keen.

I think there needs to be a marked improvement in results (not just the subjective 'performance' element) before considering renewing his contract.

To be honest, i personally think he deserves to stay on for the Euros given the hand he has been dealt in his first year in the job. It feels like the decent thing to do for a decent guy (especially during a period where i think we all accepted we would be transitioning and that it would be a tough slog of a transition). But i am also not married to that preference. I think performances have improved under SK with a brand new squad as compared to his predecessors; but it is also about results and it is time he needs to show that he can get this team to win, in addition to playing a nice brand of football. At the very least the games we should be expected to win.

As i said above, results from here on in is now the only benchmark that matters as it pertains to an extension. For his own sake, if nothing else.

[zero]

To be honest, i personally think he deserves to stay on for the Euros given the hand he has been dealt in his first year in the job. It feels like the decent thing to do for a decent guy (especially during a period where i think we all accepted we would be transitioning and that it would be a tough slog of a transition). But i am also not married to that preference. I think performances have improved under SK with a brand new squad as compared to his predecessors; but it is also about results and it is time he needs to show that he can get this team to win, in addition to playing a nice brand of football. At the very least the games we should be expected to win.

As i said above, results from here on in is now the only benchmark that matters as it pertains to an extension. For his own sake, if nothing else.

There's a nations league campaign before the euro qualifiers but it seems unlikely he'll get a short term extension to see that out. My concern is that would be another disaster and then we're stuck with no easy way out. Other than the Portugal game I don't agree that performances have improved but as mentioned that is subjective. I know stats can be bandied about but while we had chances in the Azeri game (for example) they were half chances and I reject the idea that we 'deserved to win'. If anything we were lucky to draw based on my interpretation of each teams performance.

Ideally (in my opinion) he'd get a results linked extension i.e. if results don't improve then he's out the door without a payout.

[SkStu]

Just out of curiosity, what would be the results that would see you “happy” to keep him on beyond this campaign?

[zero]

Just out of curiosity, what would be the results that would see you “happy” to keep him on beyond this campaign?

There are 12 points to play for. I would say 6 realistically but am close to saying 7. I don't think that is unreasonable.

[SkStu]

Very reasonable. I’d like to see 8 or 9. But 6 is a bare minimum (Lux/Azer).

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

The last couple of weeks has seen the Kenny Out campaign go from "he only has pub league management experience" as the main stick to beat him with to "we should appoint people with no management experience". Bizarre. Its "frying pan to the fire" stuff lads.

In one of the more insane posts, there was a call for any manager from League One in England to be appointed because the non-existent manager would just automatically be better than Kenny. He just would. Paul Cook's name was subsequently put forward as the candidate of choice. Sorry, what?!

Sam Allardyce also being put forward as the saviour of Irish football by some.

Through the looking glass...

I think the main stick to beat Kenny with is the embarrassing performances and atrocious results he's overseen.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

To be honest, i personally think he deserves to stay on for the Euros given the hand he has been dealt in his first year in the job. It feels like the decent thing to do for a decent guy (especially during a period where i think we all accepted we would be transitioning and that it would be a tough slog of a transition). But i am also not married to that preference. I think performances have improved under SK with a brand new squad as compared to his predecessors; but it is also about results and it is time he needs to show that he can get this team to win, in addition to playing a nice brand of football. At the very least the games we should be expected to win.

As i said above, results from here on in is now the only benchmark that matters as it pertains to an extension. For his own sake, if nothing else.

Mick McCarthy's last game in charge saw us batter European championship semi finalists Denmark. Very unlucky just to draw it. That's where Kenny took over so using that benchmark, Kenny has taken us far backwards and with mostly the same squad.

[brine3]

The FAI has almost no money, so it would have to be somebody who really wants to manage Ireland just for honour of doing it and not for the pay day.

So, fortunately, I don't think we need to worry about Sam Allardyce wanting the job.

So we are looking at Irish ex-internationals who already have plenty of money in the bank, or a similar person as SK whose financial needs aren't huge.

Somewhere out there is probably the next Arsene Who? happy with 100k a year.

[Exgrad]

Lennon - too much baggage
Van Gaal - can't see it (was mentioned 20 years ago)
Roy - not the right man for this group I fear
Robbie - would feel like a "Hoddle" appointment - loves the game, maybe struggle to translate that into a plan

Van Gaal then, any particular reason you cant see it? I can think of one obvious one i have to say.

[John83]

Van Gaal then, any particular reason you cant see it? I can think of one obvious one i have to say.
He's the current Dutch manager, having been recently appointed, so he's unavailable. They had to ask him out of retirement to do it. He's 70. We're not his home country, so he may be less amenable to working here over sitting on a beach somewhere warm with his credit card behind the bar. He's likely to be out of our budget even if all of that were resolved. He was perceived as having Manchester United playing for sterile possession in his last club job, which was five years ago, so his weakness as a manager may be in exactly the place we can least afford it. Just off the top of my head.

[seanfhear]

“ It’s a long way to Louis Van Gaal, It’s a long way to go ~ ~ Especially when you ain’t got No Dough "

[pineapple stu]

His Holland side did beat Turkey 6-1 last night, so he probably still has something left in him as a manager at least!

[Exgrad]

He's the current Dutch manager, having been recently appointed, so he's unavailable. They had to ask him out of retirement to do it. He's 70. We're not his home country, so he may be less amenable to working here over sitting on a beach somewhere warm with his credit card behind the bar. He's likely to be out of our budget even if all of that were resolved. He was perceived as having Manchester United playing for sterile possession in his last club job, which was five years ago, so his weakness as a manager may be in exactly the place we can least afford it. Just off the top of my head.

Yes the fact he is currently the manager of the Netherlands, with a far better squad and probably quadruple the salary would appear to rule him out as a potential Ireland manager. So why are posters suggesting he is an option? On what planet is this a possibility? We are not in this world anymore. The next manager will be an up and coming manager who we can hopefully spot early, or a manager who can't get a decent gig in the championship but still has good brand value with a large enough portion of the irish public.

[seanfhear]

His Holland side did beat Turkey 6-1 last night, so he probably still has something left in him as a manager at least!
A bit of a wander here but sure ~ ~ Turkey were very poor at the Euros = = And when you consider they have had some good teams in recent years that is a bit of a fall back.

I would say they were the second best team at the World Cup in 2002 ( ok, thats back a bit ) but there present team is pretty poor.

[dynamo kerry]

Van Gaal then, any particular reason you cant see it? I can think of one obvious one i have to say.


he's dutch.. no connection. not especially interesting football wise. no particular reputation for bringing youth in.

For me carsley is the man to go for. irish international, smart, trained in coaching at international level. has u-21 experience now so has an eye on the development.

after last night I think it's clear SK gets this campaign. as someone else said, can't afford to sack him and what else will be achieved by doing that.

[Kingdom]

I should have said 'elements within the pro SK camp'. There have been a few that have said they'd like him to stay on for the euro campaign which implies a contract extension. I certainly wouldn't advocate getting rid of him until his contract is up unless there's a very compelling reason to i.e. a manager we want becomes available and is keen.

I'm certainly grateful when a poster puts effort into his opinion or offers decent clarity. fair play on that.

One of the problems at the moment, around the discussion on the Irish coaching ticket, is interpretations and perceptions. Your post unintentionally does that. The Euro campaign implies the UEFA 2024 qualifying group we're drawn into, which starts March 2023 (i think). However, in my mind the NL is the start of the 2024 Euros campaign, as it provides a route to qualifying for a major tournament. So in this regard, and this interpretation, I absolutely want Kenny to start the next Euros campaign, but that isn't a contract extension. I've made that very clear in a post last week- the NL campaign is broken up into pre- and post-summer 2022 matches (4 & 2 respectively). Which coincides nicely with SK's contract ending, provides sufficient time to evaluate, and if not renewing that contract, sufficient time for a new manager to have to unearth those gems that everyone seems to think are lurking around undiscovered, or to build with the squad which SK has developed.

:)

[Kingdom]

A question I've wondered about, with the hindsight of the last year and everything surrounding all those affected - players, management, the FAI:
ignoring the "craic" of making a finals from a social perspective - given the quality of the vast majority of games, and the standard of players involved, was missing EURO 2020 the best thing for us.

i'm approaching this from the perspective of Kenny undertaking a rebuilding process, the process not producing the desired results and/or performances that some people are calling for his head for, and a widespread mood of dejection putting serious pressure on all involved. Can anyone imagine how much more pressure there would be had we qualified for and potentially humiliated at Euro 2020?

[ltfc_2004]

Its a good question games against Poland and Sweden at home at home with a half full Aviva. They would of found a way to allow fans if we qualified ! We may of raised our game to two scrappy draws and a battering from Spain and went out not humiliated but not setting the world on fire either.

[osarusan]

Yes the fact he is currently the manager of the Netherlands, with a far better squad and probably quadruple the salary would appear to rule him out as a potential Ireland manager. So why are posters suggesting he is an option? On what planet is this a possibility? We are not in this world anymore. The next manager will be an up and coming manager who we can hopefully spot early, or a manager who can't get a decent gig in the championship but still has good brand value with a large enough portion of the irish public.
Agree with this.

With the FAI as broke as they are, the calibre of manager we can hope to attract has come way down, and some of the names being put forward are way out of our league. Somebody described it as a 'busted flush from the UK merry-go-round' or something like that, but that's where they are most likely to come from. And I do think that we can get one who would be an improvement on Kenny, for the money Kenny is on.

My concern is that we end up with somebody Duff or one of the Keanes, who are not in it for the money really, but there's no evidence that they are really right for the job.

[Eirambler]

McCarthy v Hughton in the Championship today. Our previous manager v a strong possibility to be our next one.

[Eirambler]

Chris Hughton has been sacked by Nottingham Forest.

[OwlsFan]

Chris Hughton has been sacked by Nottingham Forest.

Was on the cards for a while. Puts more pressure on Kenny with a viable replacement now available.

[Stuttgart88]

How viable is he? Kenny has had a win more recently :)

But a serious question nonetheless.

[Eirambler]

How viable is he? Kenny has had a win more recently :)

But a serious question nonetheless.

Depends whether he wants the job or not I suppose. And whether the 500 or 600k the FAI would be offering would be enough to get him on board. But an ex Irish international who has managed three different Premier League teams is certainly a potentially viable option, subject to the above caveats.

Would probably bring Steven Reid in with him, who has very a recent international tournament qualification with a limited enough team on his CV as well.

I'm not suggesting Hughton's a perfect candidate or anything like that, there's no such thing in our budget. But he'd be a significant upgrade on what we have at the moment I would suggest. Personally I'd be supportive of that appointment if it came about.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd be very cautious myself. I've always been a bit of a Hughton-sceptic. Loved him as a player but I felt he didn't exert much influence in his supporting role to Kerr and also his club career has been mixed. But as you say, he may not even be interested.

[Diggs246]

One of my mates is militant pro kenny. He just said to me without irony chris hughtons record with Forest should rule him out. I nearly died laughing

[passinginterest]

I'd be very cautious myself. I've always been a bit of a Hughton-sceptic. Loved him as a player but I felt he didn't exert much influence in his supporting role to Kerr and also his club career has been mixed. But as you say, he may not even be interested.

I'd be the same. He's always been a very conservative manager, I think his style of coaching and management is out dated and it would probably be a backward step to hire him. If Kenny is to be replaced I'd much rather a more progressive coach, whether that's someone upcoming or someone stepping away from the rigors of club football as they hit pension territory.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

One of my mates is militant pro kenny. He just said to me without irony chris hughtons record with Forest should rule him out. I nearly died laughing

That's hilarious. When you think about it, no matter who takes over, they'll find it almost impossible to achieve a worse record than Kenny's.

[seanfhear]

Perhaps Katherine Zappone will show an interest in the role.

[punkrocket]

Would probably bring Steven Reid in with him, who has very a recent international tournament qualification with a limited enough team on his CV as well.

Steven Reid is going to fill in at Forest for now, it'll be interesting to see how it develops.

[osarusan]

Hughton has had a mixed career, but what he did with Birmingham was decent, did very well to get Newcastle promoted in record fashion and was harshly sacked, and he had success keeping clubs in the EPL (clubs for whom EPL survival is a good season).

He did poorly with Forest, but in terms of the kind of manager we can hope to attract (somebody with decent achievements in the past but currently with a drop in form), he's at the upper end of the scale I'd say.

He still represents a serious upgrade on Kenny in my eyes.

[OwlsFan]

Hughton has had a mixed career, but what he did with Birmingham was decent, did very well to get Newcastle promoted in record fashion and was harshly sacked, and he had success keeping clubs in the EPL (clubs for whom EPL survival is a good season).

He did poorly with Forest, but in terms of the kind of manager we can hope to attract (somebody with decent achievements in the past but currently with a drop in form), he's at the upper end of the scale I'd say.

He still represents a serious upgrade on Kenny in my eyes.

....and Brighton don't forget where they lost out in one play-off (ahem) and then got promoted and kept them up there. His management successes far outweigh the failures. His job at Forest was a very difficult one trying to keep up an ailing team with no investment. If Kenny were to go, I'd be more than happy with him as a replacement.

[paul_oshea]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0917/1247387-if-hughton-is-the-answer-then-whats-the-direction/

[Eirambler]

The underlying premise of that article, which is that Stephen Kenny and Graham Potter are of a similar level in terms of management ability, renders the rest of what he says largely irrelevant to be honest. If you choose to start your analysis from that position, it's easy to come to all kinds of conclusions that have no basis in reality.

[EalingGreen]

While checking something else, I happened to notice that since Chris Hughton was dismissed, there is now only one ROI manager still working in the entire 92 x PL and EFL clubs, the 62 y.o. Mick McCarthy. (Technically speaking, there's also Steven Reid, though he's said just to be keeping the seat warm for Steve Cooper.)

As it happens, there are currently 8 x Scots, 5 x NI and 4 x Welsh (though Cooper would make it 5):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_Premier_League_and_English_Footbal l_League_managers

[CraftyToePoke]

While checking something else, I happened to notice that since Chris Hughton was dismissed, there is now only one ROI manager still working in the entire 92 x PL and EFL clubs, the 62 y.o. Mick McCarthy. (Technically speaking, there's also Steven Reid, though he's said just to be keeping the seat warm for Steve Cooper.)

As it happens, there are currently 8 x Scots, 5 x NI and 4 x Welsh (though Cooper would make it 5):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_Premier_League_and_English_Footbal l_League_managers

Already been covered / discussed in the Stephen Kenny thread. On and around page 57 if you want to offer any theories.

Who are the NI five ? McCann / O'Neill / Rogers and ?

[EalingGreen]

Already been covered / discussed in the Stephen Kenny thread. On and around page 57 if you want to offer any theories.

Thanks.


Who are the NI five ? McCann / O'Neill / Rogers and ?
Michael Duff (just promoted to League One with Cheltenham) and Stephen Robinson (ex-Oldham and Motherwell manager, appointed by Morecambe in the summer)

[ifk101]

His job at Forest was a very difficult one trying to keep up an ailing team with no investment.

Bookies had Forest finishing in a playoff position prior to the season's start so ailing team with no investment or not, Forest have clearly underperformed in the eyes of others. Hence the sacking.

[EalingGreen]

Bookies had Forest finishing in a playoff position prior to the season's start so ailing team with no investment or not, Forest have clearly underperformed in the eyes of others. Hence the sacking.
Forget the bookies - they're always more influenced by weight of punters' bets than an objective appraisal of a team's chances, and Forest have a lot more fans following them - and betting on them - than most other teams in the division.

Nor do I set much strore by Hughton's "failure" at Forest - with 14(?) permanent managers in 10 years, it's clear that this was "a snowball which was already much nearer the bottom of the hill than the top", meaning that by the time CH got there, it was already huge and had gathered enormous speed.

Much more pertinent imo was why he took the job in the first place, since he must have known the scale of the task and the owner's impatience.

It suggests to me that he wasn't being offered anything better, just lesser clubs in the lower leagues. And while many individual club owners are dipsticks, collectively they must know a bit, including whether a given manager is still up to the job at a given level.

While at the same time, and even with so many managers out of work, Forest were probably struggling to attract a younger, up-and-coming manager than Hughton.

None of which is to say he wouldn't make a good ROI manager: maybe being less intense and 24/7 than the club scene, international football mighr suit him now he's in his 60's?

[ifk101]

Forget the bookies - they're always more influenced by weight of punters' bets than an objective appraisal of a team's chances, and Forest have a lot more fans following them - and betting on them - than most other teams in the division.

Sure. Odds are not fixed and are moved by “opinions”.


....

None of which is to say he wouldn't make a good ROI manager: maybe being less intense and 24/7 than the club scene, international football mighr suit him now he's in his 60's?

As for Ireland manager, our struggles are in the creative – not the structural, defensive aspects. Hughton’s strength is in the structural – (with a jaded feel mirroring his age?) Kenny’s contract has another year to run. Might as well see if Kenny can turn positive aspects into results between now and then with WC qualification gone. CH will still be available in a year’s time.

[seanfhear]

If Michael O’Neill became available and wanted the job I’d be happy for him to get the job.

[zero]

Sure. Odds are not fixed and are moved by “opinions”.



As for Ireland manager, our struggles are in the creative – not the structural, defensive aspects. Hughton’s strength is in the structural – (with a jaded feel mirroring his age?) Kenny’s contract has another year to run. Might as well see if Kenny can turn positive aspects into results between now and then with WC qualification gone. CH will still be available in a year’s time.

Though I'd largely agree it is worth remembering we have had one clean sheet in 8 games and have conceded in every qualifying game so far.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Yes. Thats true

[Snapshot]

If Michael O’Neill became available and wanted the job I’d be happy for him to get the job.
I agree. Yet incredibly, Stephen Kenny retains 82% fan support, say the polls. If sacked he'll become a martyr to legions of dreamers. Any subsequent success will owe it all to Stephen's trailblazing, vision, courage and stoicism. Failure, of course, will be the wages of giving our Stephen the boot.

[jbyrne]

If Michael O’Neill became available and wanted the job I’d be happy for him to get the job.


I agree. Yet incredibly, Stephen Kenny retains 82% fan support, say the polls. If sacked he'll become a martyr to legions of dreamers. Any subsequent success will owe it all to Stephen's trailblazing, vision, courage and stoicism. Failure, of course, will be the wages of giving our Stephen the boot.

even though MO'N had a very similar record (1 win in 15) in the NI job at the same stage SK is at now?
most fans are realistic. We know the FAI cant afford another high profile manager and are willing to give SK a chance, for this campaign at least, to see if some of our promising young players come good internationally.

it cant always be the managers fault that our record over the last 4 years is poor. we have had three different managers in that time and yet we have had poor results most of the time in that period

[Diggs246]

even though MO'N had a very similar record (1 win in 15) in the NI job at the same stage SK is at now?
most fans are realistic. We know the FAI cant afford another high profile manager and are willing to give SK a chance, for this campaign at least, to see if some of our promising young players come good internationally.

it cant always be the managers fault that our record over the last 4 years is poor. we have had three different managers in that time and yet we have had poor results most of the time in that period


McCarthy's record was much better though.
I wonder what would happen if we beat Azerbaijan, draw with Portugal and draw with lux.
Is that enough to save him ?

[EalingGreen]

If Michael O’Neill became available and wanted the job I’d be happy for him to get the job.


even though MO'N had a very similar record (1 win in 15) in the NI job at the same stage SK is at now?

Don't know enough about SK's games to comment on him, but be assured, NI's early performances under Michael were, with one or two exceptions, MUCH better than the results indicated eg:
“There was no question of us making a change after the first campaign because we could see Michael was generating potentially good results,” says [IFA CEO Patrick] Nelson, a former chief executive at Notts County and Macclesfield Town. “We were never really out of games in that first campaign and there is an interesting statistic to back that up. If the games had finished after 75 minutes we would have got double the points we ended up with. One of the things Michael needed to do before the [2016] European Championship qualifying campaign was instil belief in the players and he told them: ‘You can do it until the 75th minute of a game, so why not do it for 90?’ That made a difference. That is the sort of thinking and analysis we knew Michael had on his first day."
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/07/northern-ireland-michael-oneill-world-cup-play-off-switzerland

And as well as the 'Blazers' at the IFA, the fans generally stuck by him and not from any particular sentiment of wanting to see a "local" lad get on, as may be the case with some of SK's (LOI) supporters.

Most importantly, the senior players in the squad - Davis, McAuley, Brunt etc - could see where he was going and stuck by him.

As for Michael managing the ROI, that simply won't happen, even if they were to come up with some more MONROY money from Denis O'Brien etc.

If he is to return to international football (a possibility imo), it will only be after he's given club football a right good go, with my suspicion/guess that it will be in a CEO position, ideally with the IFA - tellingly, he's already gained a qualification in Football Directorship.

[seanfhear]

Don't know enough about SK's games to comment on him, but be assured, NI's early performances under Michael were, with one or two exceptions, MUCH better than the results indicated eg:
“There was no question of us making a change after the first campaign because we could see Michael was generating potentially good results,” says [IFA CEO Patrick] Nelson, a former chief executive at Notts County and Macclesfield Town. “We were never really out of games in that first campaign and there is an interesting statistic to back that up. If the games had finished after 75 minutes we would have got double the points we ended up with. One of the things Michael needed to do before the [2016] European Championship qualifying campaign was instil belief in the players and he told them: ‘You can do it until the 75th minute of a game, so why not do it for 90?’ That made a difference. That is the sort of thinking and analysis we knew Michael had on his first day."
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/07/northern-ireland-michael-oneill-world-cup-play-off-switzerland

And as well as the 'Blazers' at the IFA, the fans generally stuck by him and not from any particular sentiment of wanting to see a "local" lad get on, as may be the case with some of SK's (LOI) supporters.

Most importantly, the senior players in the squad - Davis, McAuley, Brunt etc - could see where he was going and stuck by him.

As for Michael managing the ROI, that simply won't happen, even if they were to come up with some more MONROY money from Denis O'Brien etc.

If he is to return to international football (a possibility imo), it will only be after he's given club football a right good go, with my suspicion/guess that it will be in a CEO position, ideally with the IFA - tellingly, he's already gained a qualification in Football Directorship.
Never say Never Never Never ! !

[ifk101]

Don't know enough about SK's games to comment on him, but be assured, NI's early performances under Michael were, with one or two exceptions, MUCH better than the results indicated eg:
“There was no question of us making a change after the first campaign because we could see Michael was generating potentially good results,” says [IFA CEO Patrick] Nelson, a former chief executive at Notts County and Macclesfield Town. “We were never really out of games in that first campaign and there is an interesting statistic to back that up. If the games had finished after 75 minutes we would have got double the points we ended up with. One of the things Michael needed to do before the [2016] European Championship qualifying campaign was instil belief in the players and he told them: ‘You can do it until the 75th minute of a game, so why not do it for 90?’ That made a difference. That is the sort of thinking and analysis we knew Michael had on his first day."
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/07/northern-ireland-michael-oneill-world-cup-play-off-switzerland

NI finished on 7 points. The 75 mins reference is arbitrarily chosen to put generated potential results in the best light.
If games finished on 75 mins, the points tally would have been 12.
70 mins = 11 points.
80 mins = 7 points.
(Need for games to finish on 55 mins to knock off home and away defeats to Azerbaijan.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_G roup_F

Anyhow, don’t see Michael O’Neill as offering more than Chris Hughton/ Martin O’Neill/ Mick McCarthy tbh.