Next Senior Men's Team Manager - Runners and Riders

[Razors left peg]

Despite that Hughton got them to AFCON and they were 2-0 in injury time to get to the knockout stages before they blew it.

His results in the built up to AFCON were awful too. Ghana couldn't get rid of him quickly enough, much like Forest.

[liamoo11]

Eustace would be the obvious choice now.

Is the reality simply that a Championship job will get a manager like euctace 2 or 3 times more money and much more freedom.and available finance to bring in his own coaching and backroom staff? In fairness to the FAI they simply can't spend that level of money that seems to be common in Championship football

[seanfhear]

Maybe Gus Poyet's time has come ? !

[JR89]

Maybe Gus Poyet's time has come ? !

Fact he's fallen out with his last three employers is probably a turn off for the FAI. Being so public about the Irish job while employed by Greece probably doesn't help either because he'll likely do it again and the FAI are poorly run so chances are he'll find issues to moan about publicly regarding them.

Probably similar reasons why Keane won't get it. His spat with Walters and Arter during Ireland camp probably have him at the bottom of any FAI list.

[Jolly Red Giant]

His results in the built up to AFCON were awful too. Ghana couldn't get rid of him quickly enough, much like Forest.
Ghana had five managers in the previous five years - Ghana were in free fall for all of that time.

In Hughton's first two games they beat Angola and then drew away with them (Angola have just topped their group at AFCON).

His competitive record with Ghana is

P9 W3 D4 L2 - significantly better than Kenny's record with Ireland and it includes games at a major international tournament.

Furthermore they lost the game against Cape Verde by conceding in injury time - and blew a 2-0 lead in injury time against Mozambique. A bounce of the ball would have seen them out of the group and Egypt going home. Despite that Hughton held his hand up, accepted responsibility for the failure and said it wasn't good enough - something Kenny never did in 3 1/2 years. And before you try it - yes they lost 2 friendlies - to the USA (ranked 48 places above them) and Mexico (45 places above them).

The Ghanaian FA is riddled with corruption and Hughton was brought in by the Ghanaian government to try and steady the ship - there were significant sections of the Ghanaian FA trying to shaft him from the moment he got the job. He was actually threatened with the sack because of the squad of players he picked for the WC qualifier against Madagascar in November.

Now - I can appreciate that many fans would not want Hughton - he is 65 and despite his very good record as a manager, some consider him a dinosaur. I don't have a problem with the FA hiring the likes of Carsley, Barry or Eustace if there is a possibility - all of them would be a punt that could work out or could blow up in our faces - but that is the chance you take. But when the likes of Lennon are being touted as the bookies favourite - that gets me mad. Hughton is still the only guy listed with a significant record of achievement as a manager (and before anyone starts - Lennon does not).

[Diggs246]

Would anyone object to Scott Parker?
He's available

[osarusan]

If Carsley lied to or lead the FAI on in some way, that's one thing, but if all he did was turn down a job offer, then I don't see where the hate towards him is coming from.

The idea that any manager should be a patriot and instantly jump at the chance to manage their country is fairly silly.

[seanfhear]

If Carsley lied to or lead the FAI on in some way, that's one thing, but if all he did was turn down a job offer, then I don't see where the hate towards him is coming from.

The idea that any manager shouldbe a patriot and instantly jump at the chance to manage their country is fairly silly.
Especially if you are dealing with the FAI.

[EalingGreen]

If Carsley lied to or lead the FAI on in some way, that's one thing, but if all he did was turn down a job offer, then I don't see where the hate towards him is coming from.

The idea that any manager shouldbe a patriot and instantly jump at the chance to manage their country is fairly silly.Indeed.

In fact it might be argued that he is managing "his country", albeit at U-21 level, though with a shout at the top job in future.

Which is not to discount his previous commitment to ROI (eg 40-odd caps etc), but we should not imagine that everyone is eg a Kevin Kilbane, for many people such matters of identity are not binary.

[Fixer82]

Indeed.

In fact it might be argued that he is managing "his country", albeit at U-21 level, though with a shout at the top job in future.

Which is not to discount his previous commitment to ROI (eg 40-odd caps etc), but we should not imagine that everyone is eg a Kevin Kilbane, for many people such matters of identity are not binary.

We can assume by Carsley's previous words that Ireland is very much his country

[SkStu]

If Carsley lied to or lead the FAI on in some way, that's one thing, but if all he did was turn down a job offer, then I don't see where the hate towards him is coming from.

The idea that any manager shouldbe a patriot and instantly jump at the chance to manage their country is fairly silly.

My hate is reserved until a) it is official and b) there’s a sense as to why. If his motivation is to hang in for a shot at the England senior job or because thinks he will make more money staying in the Three Lions set up then it says a lot. Obviously the deal has to be generous/fair and worth it but I believe that managing your country - the country you pledged your international playing career to - is an honour and we need to keep thinking of it as such. I don’t think we should be so quick to dismiss patriotism as silly!

[EalingGreen]

We can assume by Carsley's previous words that Ireland is very much his countryExclusively so, forsaking all others as with eg Kevin Kilbane?

Or 50:50(?), as in Declan Rice. Or 25:75(?), as per Jolly Jack Greaish?

Carsley is the man who took a break from international duty for a year when he wasn't getting regular starts, and the travelling etc was taking him away from his family. (Which is not to criticise him in any way, his priorities are imo admirable.)


My hate is reserved until a) it is official and b) there’s a sense as to why. If his motivation is to hang in for a shot at the England senior job or because thinks he will make more money staying in the Three Lions set up then it says a lot."Hate"? Dear oh dear. (And btw you mean "hatred")


Obviously the deal has to be generous/fair and worth itHang on, if managing your country is such an honour and privilege etc, then surely any half-decent package should be acceptable? You know, £300k pa versus £600k pa for a bog-standard Championship job, for instance.


... but I believe that managing your country - the country you pledged your international playing career to - is an honour and we need to keep thinking of it as such."The country he pledged his international playing career to" is it? Like he turned down England caps to play for ROI :rolleyes:

Remember, too, that he qualifed for ROI via a Co.Cork grandmother i.e. genetically, at least, he is 3/4 English.


I don’t think we should be so quick to dismiss patriotism as silly!I'll see your "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" and raise you my "My Country Right or Wrong".

[Jolly Red Giant]

Would anyone object to Scott Parker?
He's available
Interesting suggestion and I wouldn't necessarily object - did a decent enough job at Fulham (promotion then relegation) and Bournemouth (got them promoted - Gary O'Neill did a better job than him after Parker was sacked) - not so good at Brugge - but worth a deeper dive.

As an aside - Chrish Hughton got Newcastle promoted, almost got Birmingham promoted and got Brighton promoted and kept them in the PL for two seasons on a shoestring (and was never relegated with any of his clubs)..

[Jolly Red Giant]

We can assume by Carsley's previous words that Ireland is very much his country
Look at it from a personal perspective - managing an U21 side that just won a major tournament - and the prospect of taking over a side that could be expected to go deep into the knockout stages of major tournaments - OR - a rebuild task, correcting 3 1/2 years of directionless leadership and then have to fight for every point.

I am sure that Carsley does have ambition to manage Ireland (I am sure that Chris Hughton, Roy Keane, Robbie Keane, Damien Duff etc also have that ambition) - but when you have the possible opportunity to manage a team challenging for the Euro Championship or the World Cup - you really do have to try and maximise what you can achieve as a manager - and I wouldn't fault him for that.

[SkStu]

"Hate"? Dear oh dear. (And btw you mean "hatred")

Hate or hatred, in a very foot.ie sense of the word. Whatever Osa saw on previous messages that caused him to use the word.

Disappointed that needs explaining.


Hang on, if managing your country is such an honour and privilege etc, then surely any half-decent package should be acceptable? You know, £300k pa versus £600k pa for a bog-standard Championship job, for instance.

It is an honour. Absolutely it is. But not at any cost. The deal that’s allegedly on the table sounds generous and I’m assuming constitutes a pay raise.


"The country he pledged his international playing career to" is it? Like he turned down England caps to play for ROI :rolleyes:

What’s that got to do with anything?


Remember, too, that he qualifed for ROI via a Co.Cork grandmother i.e. genetically, at least, he is 3/4 English.

What’s that got to do with anything?


I'll see your "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" and raise you my "My Country Right or Wrong".

You’re taking things a bit too seriously my friend.

[seanfhear]

Hate or hatred, in a very foot.ie sense of the word. Whatever Osa saw on previous messages that caused him to use the word.

Disappointed that needs explaining.



It is an honour. Absolutely it is. But not at any cost. The deal that’s allegedly on the table sounds generous and I’m assuming constitutes a pay raise.



What’s that got to do with anything?



What’s that got to do with anything?



You’re taking things a bit too seriously my friend.
The Man ~ " Doth Protest Too Much "

[zero]

Would anyone object to Scott Parker?
He's available

I would - he's an idealist who insists on playing 'the right way'. Works ok against inferior opposition but as soon as you come up against a good side you're in trouble. We need a bit more pragmatism at the moment. Losing 9-0 at Liverpool an extreme example of this.

[Stuttgart88]

Any more blind speculation or gossip this morning? I need my fill.

[ifk101]

Yes, an England based CEO wants an Ireland based senior manager. That rules out all names mentioned so far, no?

[Diggs246]

Yes, an England based CEO wants an Ireland based senior manager. That rules out all names mentioned so far, no?

We've had our warnings re Jonathan hill, he needs to be sacked without delay

[ifk101]

If the FAI want an Ireland based manager, I think that means the job description brief extends beyond managing the senior team – maybe they are seeking somebody that also has a wider vision/ input for the development, direction, structures feeding into the senior team? If so, this would stipulate the role is a full-time, hands-on position and being based in Ireland is a practical necessity to fulfill job expectations. That sounds good to me but finding a candidate to meet those expectations will be troublesome especially when the CEO is not leading by example ....

[The Fly]

If the FAI want an Ireland based manager, I think that means the job description brief extends beyond managing the senior team – maybe they are seeking somebody that also has a wider vision/ input for the development, direction, structures feeding into the senior team? If so, this would stipulate the role is a full-time, hands-on position and being based in Ireland is a practical necessity to fulfill job expectations...
Which means…they want Stephen Kenny!

The FAI are playing 4D chess here.

[Olé Olé]

Yes, an England based CEO wants an Ireland based senior manager. That rules out all names mentioned so far, no?

I hope this isn't as straight forward as you make it and Dan reports it but I'm concerned that it is.

Between the pay debacle and the fact that this guy can't secure a sponsor whilst coming from a commercial background and this, the guy is an absolute cod...

[Diggs246]

I hope this isn't as straight forward as you make it and Dan reports it but I'm concerned that it is.

Between the pay debacle and the fact that this guy can't secure a sponsor whilst coming from a commercial background and this, the guy is an absolute cod...

He has also been caught taking an unauthorised 20k?! what are we waiting for here

[EAFC_rdfl]

I hope this isn't as straight forward as you make it and Dan reports it but I'm concerned that it is.

Between the pay debacle and the fact that this guy can't secure a sponsor whilst coming from a commercial background and this, the guy is an absolute cod...
he's a cod Bill!

[Stuttgart88]

I hope this isn't as straight forward as you make it and Dan reports it but I'm concerned that it is.Dan is saying it's more nuanced than that on Twitter, in among the replies to his main article.

Dan McD: "I think it’s more about finding a halfway house between complete disconnect that existed with previous absentee managers … and obviously it’s not going to be another Kenny in terms of visibility but they did create culture of regular meetings/presence in FAI HQ".

[seanfhear]

Which means…they want Stephen Kenny!

The FAI are playing 4D chess here.lol !

[SkStu]

If the FAI want an Ireland based manager, I think that means the job description brief extends beyond managing the senior team – maybe they are seeking somebody that also has a wider vision/ input for the development, direction, structures feeding into the senior team? If so, this would stipulate the role is a full-time, hands-on position and being based in Ireland is a practical necessity to fulfill job expectations. That sounds good to me but finding a candidate to meet those expectations will be troublesome especially when the CEO is not leading by example ....

https://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF502/363456.jpg

And so it is written.

[EalingGreen]

Look at it from a personal perspective etc etc etcEveryone seems to be overlooking one glaring personal aspect, namely the guy is English! You know, born in England, brought up in England, has worked all his life in England (including for the English FA), while I assume his wife and family are all English, as is 75% of his own ancestry etc. Plus many/most of his schoolmates, friends, workmates etc.

Which is not to say he isn't proud of his Irish heritage and wasn't very proud to play for ROI etc. But it's not like eg half a century or more ago where some fella might go over to England to work on a building site; drink in Irish pubs of a Saturday and go to church of a Sunday; marry an Irish nurse and settle in Kilburn or Luton; go back to Ireland for the odd family funeral etc and dream of retiring back "home" when the time came. Much of which was then passed on to the next generation.

Which is in no way to disparage anyone a generation further removed, who inherited it from a grandparent and feels as Irish as Guinness etc, as Carsley may do. But other than his 40 ROI caps, is there any great evidence that he is eg another Kevin Kilbane?

And as for the caps let's face it, Carsley was never going to get even a single England cap, so that was hardly a matter of "choice", as managing either country may turn out to be.

[EalingGreen]

Yes, an England based CEO wants an Ireland based senior manager. That rules out all names mentioned so far, no?Rules in Neil Lennon surely?

I mean the man has made huge investments in the country, land and property etc, showing where his heart lies.

No, wait...

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Property+fiasco+lost+Neil+EUR650k+..now+bank+chase s+him%3B+LENNON%27S...-a0222337636

[seanfhear]

Everyone seems to be overlooking one glaring personal aspect, namely the guy is English! You know, born in England, brought up in England, has worked all his life in England (including for the English FA), while I assume his wife and family are all English, as is 75% of his own ancestry etc. Plus many/most of his schoolmates, friends, workmates etc.

Which is not to say he isn't proud of his Irish heritage and wasn't very proud to play for ROI etc. But it's not like eg half a century or more ago where some fella might go over to England to work on a building site; drink in Irish pubs of a Saturday and go to church of a Sunday; marry an Irish nurse and settle in Kilburn or Luton; go back to Ireland for the odd family funeral etc and dream of retiring back "home" when the time came. Much of which was then passed on to the next generation.

Which is in no way to disparage anyone a generation further removed, who inherited it from a grandparent and feels as Irish as Guinness etc, as Carsley may do. But other than his 40 ROI caps, is there any great evidence that he is eg another Kevin Kilbane?

And as for the caps let's face it, Carsley was never going to get even a single England cap, so that was hardly a matter of "choice", as managing either country may turn out to be.Worse players than Lee Carsley have got England Caps ~ A lot worse.

[jbyrne]

Worse players than Lee Carsley have got England Caps ~ A lot worse.

yes, sure 21 cap dennis wise was part of the england squad when carsley was playing for us

[Diggs246]

Everyone seems to be overlooking one glaring personal aspect, namely the guy is English! You know, born in England, brought up in England, has worked all his life in England (including for the English FA), while I assume his wife and family are all English, as is 75% of his own ancestry etc. Plus many/most of his schoolmates, friends, workmates etc.

Which is not to say he isn't proud of his Irish heritage and wasn't very proud to play for ROI etc. But it's not like eg half a century or more ago where some fella might go over to England to work on a building site; drink in Irish pubs of a Saturday and go to church of a Sunday; marry an Irish nurse and settle in Kilburn or Luton; go back to Ireland for the odd family funeral etc and dream of retiring back "home" when the time came. Much of which was then passed on to the next generation.

Which is in no way to disparage anyone a generation further removed, who inherited it from a grandparent and feels as Irish as Guinness etc, as Carsley may do. But other than his 40 ROI caps, is there any great evidence that he is eg another Kevin Kilbane?

And as for the caps let's face it, Carsley was never going to get even a single England cap, so that was hardly a matter of "choice", as managing either country may turn out to be.



But lets be fair, were you not born in the island of Ireland, brought up in Ireland, schooled in Ireland etc etc. but you are sill British right?
Lee might feel English and Irish. I might be mistaken, but didn't he turn down under age caps for England instead picking Ireland ( I might be wrong on that but i did hear it somewhere)

[EalingGreen]

But lets be fair, were you not born in the island of Ireland, brought up in Ireland, schooled in Ireland etc etc. but you are sill British right?
Lee might feel English and Irish. I might be mistaken, but didn't he turn down under age caps for England instead picking Ireland ( I might be wrong on that but i did hear it somewhere)Yes, I am British - it says so on my passport, the British state built the hospital I was born in and educated me etc (as well as taking taxes off me in return!)

But I am also Irish - it's obvious the moment I open my mouth! And as someone who is proud of both, there is no contradiction, any more than someone who feels eg Scottish and British.

Above all, I am Northern Irish, which for me quite happily accommodates both.

Meanwhile I don't resent others in my situation who feel differently, unless of course they deny me my own preference and try to dictate to me what I am/should be.

And getting back to Carsley, I'm guessing that he does feel both English and Irish and who knows, maybe even British as well?

My point being that there are some people on here who in suggesting that his "default position" should be the ROI job, seem to be in denial about the Englishness in him, even though that may reflect his self-identification more than his Irishness.

[Razors left peg]

Yes, I am British - it says so on my passport, the British state built the hospital I was born in and educated me etc (as well as taking taxes off me in return!)

But I am also Irish - it's obvious the moment I open my mouth! And as someone who is proud of both, there is no contradiction, any more than someone who feels eg Scottish and British.

Above all, I am Northern Irish, which for me quite happily accommodates both.

Meanwhile I don't resent others in my situation who feel differently, unless of course they deny me my own preference and try to dictate to me what I am/should be.

And getting back to Carsley, I'm guessing that he does feel both English and Irish and who knows, maybe even British as well?

My point being that there are some people on here who in suggesting that his "default position" should be the ROI job, seem to be in denial about the Englishness in him, even though that may reflect his self-identification more than his Irishness.

Carsley doesn't feel British enough to sing GSTQ at matches though

[EalingGreen]

Carsley doesn't feel British enough to sing GSTQ at matches thoughI don't sing it either. (Or GSTK)

[SkStu]

He grew up in a one parent home where his Irishness was front and centre. He also says at the time, it wasn’t really even a choice.


"I got called up by England and Ireland’s U21 squad on the same day but never really considered it (England). I was playing well at the time after getting into the Derby team at 19 and was playing in the same team as Paul McGrath.

My football idol was Paul and I was lucky enough to play with him at Derby for seven months towards the end of his career. Just to see him in action first-hand was fantastic.

"I’d been a big fan; watching all the games he played for Ireland, including the World Cup.

"He inspired me to want to go on and replicate some of the experiences he had. I obviously never reached the heights he had with Ireland, but at the time, that was my goal.


It was back when myself and Kevin Kilbane were both doing our coaching badges,'' he said. "We spoke to the FAI and asked if they'd consider us in the future, that we'd love to help out with future internationals.

"They took our details. Took our phone numbers, and that was it. That's as far as it went. It's a shame, really. The fact that a lot of the ex-internationals are now getting involved with the FAI is a positive.

"Don't get me wrong, just because you played for Ireland doesn't automatically mean you should coach there. You should earn your stripes, you should be at a certain level and you should want to develop the game.

Myself and Kevin were both in that bracket at the time. We were looking to improve the standard of players and teams that were coming through in Ireland.

Just a few interesting quotes I came across this morning. Fair to say, he’s had a complicated relationship with Ireland (though not his Irishness) and, how I’d put it, some issues with how he’s seen in Ireland. He seems to feel a bit under-appreciated but also admits he never was able to show his best - and it seems to eat at him a bit. He hated his WC02 experience and being away from his family and his newborn son who has Downs Syndrome.

[Razors left peg]

So about a month ago I put a bet on Carsley at 10/3. Max allowed was €150 on PP. Yesterday Carsley was at 10/1 on SkyBet so I tried to put €100 on and the max allowed was €50. That €50 bet brought the odds into 6/1.

Maybe I'm wrong here but to me the fact that they are limiting to such small amounts and small bets are changing the odds so much shows that the bookies have little, if any more info than we have.

This morning I read a story in The Mirror (yes I know). There was an interesting part though that reminded that both Trap and O'Neill initially said no while the played hardball to get the job on their terms with staff etc. I might be extremely naive, but I'm still convinced it's going to end up being Carsley

[Jolly Red Giant]

Everyone seems to be overlooking one glaring personal aspect, namely the guy is English! You know, born in England, brought up in England, has worked all his life in England (including for the English FA), while I assume his wife and family are all English, as is 75% of his own ancestry etc. Plus many/most of his schoolmates, friends, workmates etc.

Which is not to say he isn't proud of his Irish heritage and wasn't very proud to play for ROI etc. But it's not like eg half a century or more ago where some fella might go over to England to work on a building site; drink in Irish pubs of a Saturday and go to church of a Sunday; marry an Irish nurse and settle in Kilburn or Luton; go back to Ireland for the odd family funeral etc and dream of retiring back "home" when the time came. Much of which was then passed on to the next generation.

Which is in no way to disparage anyone a generation further removed, who inherited it from a grandparent and feels as Irish as Guinness etc, as Carsley may do. But other than his 40 ROI caps, is there any great evidence that he is eg another Kevin Kilbane?

And as for the caps let's face it, Carsley was never going to get even a single England cap, so that was hardly a matter of "choice", as managing either country may turn out to be.

You are making an awful lot of assumptions about Carsley without knowing any facts - so just to scratch the surface to enlighten you (and Stu has already given you some quotes) -

Carsley was raised in a single parent household - the Irish side of the family. When he broke into the DErby team he was called into the England and Ireland U21 squads at the same time - and he said himself about England that he 'never considered it'. He nearly ended up playing gaelic football rather than soccer because he spent a lot of time growing up with his cousins in Dunmanway.

One of the first things he did when he started coaching was himself and Kevin Kilbane approached and met with the FAI about working with Irish underage players in Ireland and in England - the FAI stupidly chose not to follow up on the offer from Carsley.

In terms of his view of his career (and this is from a recent interview) - 'I’ve got a long-term vision of where I see myself as a coach. Management is in that vision but not within the next week or so. It’s a long-term plan and I’ve still got a lot of things to develop before I’m ready. I want it to be a long-term profession, I want to be a top manager and I’m still in what I would call an apprenticeship phase.'

The reality is that Lee Carsley is going to do what is right for Lee Carsley - and I for one would acknowledge that he has every right to do just that. If the FAI are demanding an Irish based manager then that could be the deal breaker for Carsley because he would not be willing to disrupt his family life in such a fashion.

[seanfhear]

Wouldn't an Irish manager have to spend a huge amount of time in England watching / evaluating Irish players in England ? !

[SkStu]

Wouldn't an Irish manager have to spend a huge amount of time in England watching / evaluating Irish players in England ? !

Please take your logic elsewhere.

[seanfhear]

Please take your logic elsewhere.
Make sure the FAI don't see my post = = That kind of logic would be a bit beyond them , I fear !

[Fixer82]

Exclusively so, forsaking all others as with eg Kevin Kilbane?

Or 50:50(?), as in Declan Rice. Or 25:75(?), as per Jolly Jack Greaish?



Well I’m going off what he says here. But of course I could be wrong. I’m often wrong

NRy3jEukp1E

[SkStu]

Well I’m going off what he says here. But of course I could be wrong. I’m often wrong

https://youtu.be/NRy3jEukp1E?si=i8TU464nJWezzkRS

That’s a class video. Not one I’ve seen before. Cheers fixer

[JR89]

Please take your logic elsewhere.

And not like the manager could travel over to Ireland now and then to do some work with the other underage managers.

There's also a magical thing called remote working too so not like he can't log onto Zoom to have meetings with the other coaches. Heck company I work for we work with teams in the USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia on projects and we get by working together remotely.

If a billion dollar MNC can make it work then I'm sure a manager could make it work.

[EalingGreen]

You are making an awful lot of assumptions about Carsley without knowing any facts - so just to scratch the surface to enlighten you (and Stu has already given you some quotes) -
That's the whole point - a lot of people are making assumptions about him and concluding for him what he "should" do, whereas I'm saying that it may not be so straightforward, certainly not so much as to state: "My hate [for LC] is reserved until a) it is official and b) there’s a sense as to why." - SKStu, post #911.

Certainly people have pointed to quotations and a video which affirm his sense of Irishness, but even with the latter LC said "there wasn't anything to think about" back when he was a youngster growing up with his background etc.

But that was 3 or 4 decades ago and age and experience such as eg being poorly treated by the FAI versus being well treated by The FA, can colour previously strongly-held thinking.

While I've seen myself how people like Conor Bradley, Niall McGinn or Martin O'Neill can opt eg to play for NI without that compromising whatever political beliefs or questions of identity they may or may not hold.

In other words, and as (ahem) SKStu said in post #937, it's complicated, meaning people shouldn't rush to judge him either way, whatever he decides.

[Fixer82]

That's the whole point - a lot of people are making assumptions about him and concluding for him what he "should" do, whereas I'm saying that it may not be so straightforward, certainly not so much as to state: "My hate [for LC] is reserved until a) it is official and b) there’s a sense as to why." - SKStu, post #911.

Certainly people have pointed to quotations and a video which affirm his sense of Irishness, but even with the latter LC said "there wasn't anything to think about" back when he was a youngster growing up with his background etc.

But that was 3 or 4 decades ago and age and experience such as eg being poorly treated by the FAI versus being well treated by The FA, can colour previously strongly-held thinking.

While I've seen myself how people like Conor Bradley, Niall McGinn or Martin O'Neill can opt eg to play for NI without that compromising whatever political beliefs or questions of identity they may or may not hold.

In other words, and as (ahem) SKStu said in post #937, it's complicated, meaning people shouldn't rush to judge him either way, whatever he decides.

Well I agree that there are a lot of factors in his taking the job and if he doesn't I would have no problem with it. Just as I had no problem with him taking time away from international football to be with his family. I was disappointed but I respect his decision.
There are things more important than football after all.

[CraftyToePoke]

Ex TD Ruth Coppinger has come out against Lennon

Neil Lennon is favourite to manage Ireland men’s soccer team & has a history of harassment & threats against a woman with whom he was having an affair. Under no circumstances should the #FAI which gets state funds appoint someone like this to such a public role. No role model.

& more :
1752104485562839141

Sport & politics into the cocktail shaker there.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Important I think not to dismiss the possibility that Carsley would love to manage Ireland but wants to be paid what he thinks he's worth and might not necessarily want to work for the FAI as it exists.

It's not reasonable in this day-and-age to insist on an Ireland based manager. If that's the FAI's stance, our eventual manager will be of a much lower quality than might have been otherwise.

[Olé Olé]

Important I think not to dismiss the possibility that Carsley would love to manage Ireland but wants to be paid what he thinks he's worth and might not necessarily want to work for the FAI as it exists.

It's not reasonable in this day-and-age to insist on an Ireland based manager. If that's the FAI's stance, our eventual manager will be of a much lower quality than might have been otherwise.

Salary may not be the only blocker or may be a blocker alongside others i.e. backroom team, frequency of visits to Ireland, responsibility over other layers in the overall system. Items like these may also be having an impact on his decision.

Marc Canham has a "Director of Football" role and they have made it clear that the role is a "Head Coach" role with other responsibilities. What if he doesn't think Canham is any use and can't work as Head Coach, gain clarity on the other responsibilities and wrap his head around where his success begins and Canham's ends?