View Full Version : Next Senior Men's Team Manager - Runners and Riders
Diggs246
10/12/2023, 2:55 PM
Given who was brought in to replace him I think Kerr could justifiably argue he deserved another two years at the time. But it would be lunacy to consider bringing him back now.
I think kerr could more than justifiably argue that his replacement was terrible, but that to me is not relevant. Kerr was correctly sacked and should have been replaced by a better experience professional manager
Stephen Kelly makes a case for Hughton.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/1211/1421423-kelly-fai-may-be-swayed-by-misunderstood-hughton/
People will think Chris is a throwback, but he’s not an old-school manager," he said. "Chris is a scholar of the game, constantly learning, constantly improving.
"He has a wealth of experience. You just have to look at what he has done with teams in and around the Championship, and that’s where I’d put our team (Ireland), a top-end Championship side, who he could get the best out of.
"Hughton has done that with Newcastle, done amazing things with Birmingham City (got the club to the play-offs in his only season in charge), put Brighton into the position they are in now.
"I think he’s someone that could really work and with his wealth of experience, it might be the way to go.
elatedscum
12/12/2023, 1:38 AM
I always felt Kerr never really found his best team and never really got his team playing good football.
The decision to play Duffer as a 10 was a failure (I think Kerr described as “the free role”. I know he was essentially trying to replace Roy’s presence by putting our best player in a place where he could have more of an impact, but instead of that, he essentially played his best player in a position where he wasn’t comfortable.
With total hindsight, you’d wonder what would have happened had he tried to bed a LOI playing Wes into that side (age 21-23 and SPL based from 23 on). He was called up by Don Givens in the squad between Mick and Brian Kerr - so it’s not totally outrageous
Razors left peg
12/12/2023, 4:26 PM
Kerr stuff is nonsense. I'll never get past his last game in charge when we needed to beat the Swiss. He subbed Robbie Keane and Clinton Morrison and we finished the game with Gary Doherty and Steven Elliot up front. This on top of his decision to take Duff off the left wing and put him up front at home to Israel. He was unplayable on the wing that day and became totally ineffective up front.
Kerr was rightly sacked at the time, what followed didnt make that decision wrong and his bitterness in recent years has made him thoroughly unlikable
Diggs246
13/12/2023, 2:15 PM
Very interesting
Bayern Munich coach Anthony Barry said to be in the running to become Ireland’s next senior men’s manager | Independent.ie (https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/bayern-munich-coach-anthony-barry-said-to-be-in-the-running-to-become-irelands-next-senior-mens-manager/a1242339570.html)
Very interesting
Bayern Munich coach Anthony Barry said to be in the running to become Ireland’s next senior men’s manager | Independent.ie (https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/bayern-munich-coach-anthony-barry-said-to-be-in-the-running-to-become-irelands-next-senior-mens-manager/a1242339570.html)
Game changer if true. He'd be in pole position for me, never thought he would be realistic option.
Eirambler
13/12/2023, 2:28 PM
I'm sure he'd do a very good job for about six months before leaving us for Belgium, Portugal, Crystal Palace or someone else.
LurcherLover
13/12/2023, 2:52 PM
Can't see that one happening. Bayern had to pay a 7 figure sum to get him on board 8x months ago and just going to let him walk for free? I'd imagine it's a case of we want him but can't afford him. He would also earn much more if he took a coaching role in the Championship which he is touted of being linked to several clubs.
Eirambler
13/12/2023, 3:07 PM
Could see this being a bit of name dropping from the FAI to soften the blow when a less popular manager is chosen - e.g. Hughton. A kind of "we tried for Barry but we couldn't get him so it's not our fault if you don't like Hughton" kind of thing.
Could see this being a bit of name dropping from the FAI to soften the blow when a less popular manager is chosen - e.g. Hughton. A kind of "we tried for Barry but we couldn't get him so it's not our fault if you don't like Hughton" kind of thing.
I dont see how that could make anything better...if anything it would make it even worse by showing us what we "could" have had.
Also the FAI are not in the fan's good books so I dont see how "trying" is going to make things better.
liamoo11
13/12/2023, 4:36 PM
Game changer if true. He'd be in pole position for me, never thought he would be realistic option.
This would be great. I'd happily let him stay on in an assistant role with bayern to see out his bayern contract. Be great to have a manager involved at champions league elite level club on a day to day basis and bringing that evolving experience to the national role. Its a win for everyone
liamoo11
13/12/2023, 4:40 PM
Kerr stuff is nonsense. I'll never get past his last game in charge when we needed to beat the Swiss. He subbed Robbie Keane and Clinton Morrison and we finished the game with Gary Doherty and Steven Elliot up front. This on top of his decision to take Duff off the left wing and put him up front at home to Israel. He was unplayable on the wing that day and became totally ineffective up front.
Kerr was rightly sacked at the time, what followed didnt make that decision wrong and his bitterness in recent years has made him thoroughly unlikable
That Israel game was very unlucky, we dominated them playing lovely football as I remember it.
pineapple stu
13/12/2023, 4:47 PM
We did, but Kerr's teams had an awful habit of sitting back on their leads and being punished for it. If we'd kept playing lovely ball we'd have beaten them home and away and qualified handily
liamoo11
13/12/2023, 5:02 PM
We did, but Kerr's teams had an awful habit of sitting back on their leads and being punished for it. If we'd kept playing lovely ball we'd have beaten them home and away and qualified handily
I always felt he was unlucky but I was biased as I had loved his underage age work as we all had. I never felt that about Kenny cause I didn't actually think he had any underage interest really just that he took the 21s as it was part of the deal to be senior manager.
texidub
13/12/2023, 5:02 PM
I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting that Kerr should be manager again - more that he would have insights to offer in some role around the team/FAI.
tetsujin1979
13/12/2023, 5:17 PM
That Israel game was very unlucky, we dominated them playing lovely football as I remember it.
We were unlucky in that we gave away a soft penalty, there's little you can do about that, and a once in a career header to equalise, and let's not forget Awat in goals getting O'Brien sent off
But Kerr made his own bad luck by moving Duff up front, when he was dominating the left wing, moving Kilbane out of midfield, where he was solid, and bringing on Kavanagh, when Stephen Elliott was sitting on the bench. Kerr claimed at the time that Eliott wasn't fit, but he played 90 minutes three days later against the Faroes.
ontheotherhand
13/12/2023, 6:28 PM
Barry would be a really positive and forward thinking move by the FAI. So I'll prepare for Big Sam.
Of the names in realistic contention only Barry & Carsley sound like potentially positive moves, all the others can get in the bin, I don’t see how it will make us better.
Barry sounds like a perfect appointment the more I think about it.
Jolly Red Giant
13/12/2023, 9:27 PM
We were unlucky in that we gave away a soft penalty, there's little you can do about that, and a once in a career header to equalise, and let's not forget Awat in goals getting O'Brien sent off
But Kerr made his own bad luck by moving Duff up front, when he was dominating the left wing, moving Kilbane out of midfield, where he was solid, and bringing on Kavanagh, when Stephen Elliott was sitting on the bench. Kerr claimed at the time that Eliott wasn't fit, but he played 90 minutes three days later against the Faroes.
I am sure if he had an opportunity to do things differently he probably would.
Don't forget - Kerr had a decent run as Faroes manager - with a population the size of Dundalk - they beat Lithuania and Estonia, drew with Luxembourg away and Northern Ireland at home - and gave both France and Italy one hell of a fright with both lucky to get out of the Faroes with a 1-0 win. And he laid some very good foundations for the team that helped Lars Olsen who replaced him. Indeed Lars Olsen mightn't be a bad option if he was interested in the job.
Eirambler
13/12/2023, 10:07 PM
Of the names in realistic contention only Barry & Carsley sound like potentially positive moves, all the others can get in the bin, I don’t see how it will make us better.
Barry sounds like a perfect appointment the more I think about it.
I mean, virtually any of the rumoured managers would make us better than we have been. Any manager that comes in and sets up the team with a modicum of common sense will at least achieve that.
I'd be very surprised if Barry ends up being the man.
tetsujin1979
13/12/2023, 10:16 PM
I am sure if he had an opportunity to do things differently he probably would.
Thing is - the Israel game was his opportunity to do something different. The injury to Keane meant he had to make a change up front, but he didn't need to move Duff or Kilbane.
Kenny Cunningham was suspended for the last game in the Euro 2004 qualifying group, away to Switzerland, so he moved John O'Shea to centre half, and played Harte at full back, i.e. two unforced changes, when just replacing Cunningham with Andy O'Brien was the simpler change. We lost that game, without ever looking like taking anything from it.
I'm not saying that playing O'Brien against Switzerland or playing Elliott against Israel would have meant taking anything from either game, I'm saying that he didn't learn from the mistake of unforced errors
Game changer if true. He'd be in pole position for me, never thought he would be realistic option.
From the comments Hill made about getting the friendlies in place for our new manager don't think Barry would be a realistic option. I don't see him walking away from Portugal before the Euros this summer.
Unless the FAI is happy for whatever backroom team would be assembled to take charge for the friendlies with Barry officially coming in after the Euros. It's s also hard seeing him walk away from Bayern to takeover as manager and not sure the FAI would consider a head coach that double jobs. Though given the situation we find ourselves in it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world for them to consider.
ifk101
14/12/2023, 9:25 AM
Hopefully there is truth to the Barry approach. Regardless of whether he’d be interested or not, encouraging that this is the type of candidate being considered. Much better imo to be seeking a fresh, forward thinking candidate looking to build his career in management, rather than somebody near/ in retirement with no real incentive to push the envelope.
elatedscum
14/12/2023, 12:03 PM
JP McManus just donated €32m to the GAA. €1m for each county. Imagine what €1m would do for each LOI club and maybe €5m for a decent manager ;)
Stuttgart88
14/12/2023, 1:04 PM
Maybe we (i.e., football) should have shut up about how we should get more of the betting tax at the expense of na capaill.
seanfhear
14/12/2023, 1:34 PM
JP McManus just donated €32m to the GAA. €1m for each county. Imagine what €1m would do for each LOI club and maybe €5m for a decent manager ;)Are you offering ?
JP McManus just donated €32m to the GAA. €1m for each county. Imagine what €1m would do for each LOI club and maybe €5m for a decent manager ;)
What a pwick. How much did he dump into United too over the years he was involved? Yet he gives to GAA...
seanfhear
14/12/2023, 2:21 PM
What a pwick. How much did he dump into United too over the years he was involved? Yet he gives to GAA...
Maybe the Utd thing mentally damaged him !
culloty82
14/12/2023, 2:52 PM
Stoke reportedly have made an approach for Carsley today.
Stoke reportedly have made an approach for Carsley today.
If he wants to kill his senior managerial career before it even gets started then Stoke would be a good move.
Jolly Red Giant
15/12/2023, 9:10 AM
If he wants to kill his senior managerial career before it even gets started then Stoke would be a good move.
Dean Smith was tipped for the job and he went off to Charlotte FC instead.
Now - if Carsley did take the job and got Stoke back into the PL - that would go a long way to proving he knows what he is doing.
LurcherLover
15/12/2023, 9:20 AM
He's being linked with the Sunderland role also and would prefer that to the Stoke position. According to Philip Quinn anyway so make of that what you want..
LurcherLover
15/12/2023, 9:24 AM
Dean Smith was tipped for the job and he went off to Charlotte FC instead.
Now - if Carsley did take the job and got Stoke back into the PL - that would go a long way to proving he knows what he is doing.
If he took the job and got Stoke back to the PL, nevermind proving he knows what he is doing, he'd have the pick of any coaching role in Europe! Pep/Klopp etc wouldn't be capable of getting them back in the PL.
Jolly Red Giant
15/12/2023, 9:47 AM
Stoke City is owned by Denise Coates, owner of Bet365 - she's worth about €6billion.
LurcherLover
15/12/2023, 10:56 AM
Stoke City is owned by Denise Coates, owner of Bet365 - she's worth about €6billion.Tony Fernandes(QPR) is worth 15billion, an American trio worth 11billion own Ipswich. Bristol City, W.Brom, Southampton, Sunderland, Blackburn etc all have billionaires as owners. That gimp Elon Musk could own Stoke, they aren't getting anywhere near the PL anytime soon.
nigel-harps1954
15/12/2023, 12:06 PM
Stoke City is owned by Denise Coates, owner of Bet365 - she's worth about €6billion.
Derry City are owned by a billionaire, doesn't mean they're about to win anything major.
Tony Fernandes(QPR) is worth 15billion, an American trio worth 11billion own Ipswich. Bristol City, W.Brom, Southampton, Sunderland, Blackburn etc all have billionaires as owners. That gimp Elon Musk could own Stoke, they aren't getting anywhere near the PL anytime soon.
This.
They're a basket case club and will be a basket case club for years to come.
Razors left peg
15/12/2023, 3:54 PM
Isn't it funny how Carsley is suddenly being linked with clubs now when he never was before. The timing is too coincidental. My personal belief is he wants the Ireland job and these "links" are a play by his agent to force the FAI into making a decision.
CraftyToePoke
15/12/2023, 4:47 PM
Went from 25/1 in to 3/1 in places today, can still be got at 12s in others for the Stoke job.
I can't see him there either though.
Jolly Red Giant
15/12/2023, 8:15 PM
Isn't it funny how Carsley is suddenly being linked with clubs now when he never was before. The timing is too coincidental. My personal belief is he wants the Ireland job and these "links" are a play by his agent to force the FAI into making a decision.
My preference is still Hughton - but I would be okay with seeing what Carsley would be able to do.
It is possible that the FAI are waiting to see what happens with Hughton - they would probably have to pay compensation for Carsley because he is under contract.
Carsley is only in contract till August and actually think the FA would let Carsley leave early without much hassle. They've two qualifiers in March and then none till September.
If he actually wants the Ireland job don't think it does the FA any good to make him see out his contract if they play hard ball about compensation.
Olé Olé
15/12/2023, 11:51 PM
Would it be very FAI if they ended up appointing Carsley when he was linked to the job for months and them having told us all that they are speaking to lots of candidates and I would bet even going so far as to leak the approach to Anthony Barry in the midst of the Hill pay saga as a distraction?
Fair enough - run a "process" with the intention of looking a more professional organization but be careful regarding time wasting.
We will see in due course whether it does end up being Carsley as I am hoping. Wouldn't be displeased with Hughton either and those are the two names which have hung around the most and longest in the discourse surrounding the role I think.
LurcherLover
16/12/2023, 12:57 AM
Carsley is only in contract till August and actually think the FA would let Carsley leave early without much hassle. They've two qualifiers in March and then none till September.
If he actually wants the Ireland job don't think it does the FA any good to make him see out his contract if they play hard ball about compensation.Its been reported several times in different outlets that the FA won't stand in the way if him taking a senior role with us. Haven't seen anything official from them and obviously wouldn't expect to but I'd say you're right re not getting much hassle from them if he decides to leave before his contract ends.
My preference is still Hughton - but I would be okay with seeing what Carsley would be able to do.
It is possible that the FAI are waiting to see what happens with Hughton - they would probably have to pay compensation for Carsley because he is under contract.
Objectively. I’m not sure that Carsley is all that more promising than Kenny was when he got annointed. I think he represents a similar gamble.
Jolly Red Giant
16/12/2023, 10:25 AM
Objectively. I’m not sure that Carsley is all that more promising than Kenny was when he got annointed. I think he represents a similar gamble.
Nah - Kenny had very little track record - he was always fortunate with the LOI teams he ended up with, despite what is a good record in the LOI. Once he stepped outside his comfort zone everything fell apart (as shown by his time in Scotland). I think Jim Crawford played a bigger role than is obvious in the relative success of the U-21s while Kenny was there - and I think he has proven that since taking over when Kenny was given the top job.
Carsley is a different kettle of fish - he is a highly regarded coach in footballing circles. He has had experience across a range of clubs - Coventry, Man City, Sheff Utd, Brentford and Birmingham in a range of capacities including caretaker manager for several of them, before he started working with the England U-20s and U21s. He won the Euros (admittedly with a good England squad - but there were a lot of good squads at that tournament). His experience and record is significantly better than Kenny's at the level that he would be expected to work at.
This doesn't mean that Carsley will be a success - but he does have the potential to be a success. In contrast, Kenny was always a disaster waiting to happen from the moment he was appointed U-21s manager and designated McCarthy's successor (it was never going to work and should never have happened). We have a young squad and more young players coming along the production line - Carsley is highly touted at being able to develop players, and while he wouldn't be my first choice, I would be optimistic about the future. I won't be burying my head in my hands at the ineptitude of the FAI when they appointed Kenny (and by the way - I don't blame Kenny for anything that has happened in the last four years - any LOI manager would have jumped at the prospect of getting the job - but Kenny had shown nothing that would lead anyone to believe he could have been anything other than what happened - and why the FAI renewed his contact in 2022 beggars belief).
Olé Olé
16/12/2023, 10:26 AM
I keep seeing write ups on Kieran McKenna and I know we wouldn't get him over a Premiership club or due to Ipswich's likely promotion but wouldn't he be great? In another era, the job might have attracted him. An Ireland supporter to boot having gone to the Euros.
Jolly Red Giant
16/12/2023, 10:26 AM
Carsley is only in contract till August and actually think the FA would let Carsley leave early without much hassle. They've two qualifiers in March and then none till September.
If he actually wants the Ireland job don't think it does the FA any good to make him see out his contract if they play hard ball about compensation.
Yea - probably true
Jolly Red Giant
16/12/2023, 10:29 AM
I keep seeing write ups on Kieran McKenna and I know we wouldn't get him over a Premiership club or due to Ipswich's likely promotion but wouldn't he be great? In another era, the job might have attracted him. An Ireland supporter to boot having gone to the Euros.
McKenna is one who should be penciled for the future and I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen at some stage - but he is likely to get a run at at least one big club before he becomes a realistic option for the Ireland job.
Nah - Kenny had very little track record - he was always fortunate with the LOI teams he ended up with, despite what is a good record in the LOI. Once he stepped outside his comfort zone everything fell apart (as shown by his time in Scotland). I think Jim Crawford played a bigger role than is obvious in the relative success of the U-21s while Kenny was there - and I think he has proven that since taking over when Kenny was given the top job.
Carsley is a different kettle of fish - he is a highly regarded coach in footballing circles. He has had experience across a range of clubs - Coventry, Man City, Sheff Utd, Brentford and Birmingham in a range of capacities including caretaker manager for several of them, before he started working with the England U-20s and U21s. He won the Euros (admittedly with a good England squad - but there were a lot of good squads at that tournament). His experience and record is significantly better than Kenny's at the level that he would be expected to work at.
This doesn't mean that Carsley will be a success - but he does have the potential to be a success. In contrast, Kenny was always a disaster waiting to happen from the moment he was appointed U-21s manager and designated McCarthy's successor (it was never going to work and should never have happened). We have a young squad and more young players coming along the production line - Carsley is highly touted at being able to develop players, and while he wouldn't be my first choice, I would be optimistic about the future. I won't be burying my head in my hands at the ineptitude of the FAI when they appointed Kenny (and by the way - I don't blame Kenny for anything that has happened in the last four years - any LOI manager would have jumped at the prospect of getting the job - but Kenny had shown nothing that would lead anyone to believe he could have been anything other than what happened - and why the FAI renewed his contact in 2022 beggars belief).
Yeah. I was very drunk when I wrote that tbf. I accept your response in full.
mark12345
16/12/2023, 3:18 PM
Yeah. I was very drunk when I wrote that tbf. I accept your response in full.
You were very drunk? Doesn't make you a bad person.
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