Next Senior Men's Team Manager - Runners and Riders

[backstothewall]

It seems to me that it's time to take a look at the papabile, and maybe get a poll going. Stephen Kenny might not be gone, but there's surely no way back from here.


Sam Allardyce - Ka-Ching!

Steve Bruce - Currently second favorite with the bookies, which can only be because they think Bruce and the FAI might be as desperate as each other.

Lee Carsley (40 Ireland caps) - Highly successful with England u21 and highly regarded as a coach. Might prefer to stay where he is or make a move to a full time club role. After working with the FA and being based in St George's Park, he might struggle to adapt to the cardboard and sticky tape approach of the FAI.

Damian Duff (100 Ireland caps) - Very little relevent experience. Would surely get a fair crack of the whip from fans but has potential to be Steve Staunton v2.0.

Chris Hughton (53 Ireland caps) - Currently managing Ghana. May be available in January after African Cup of Nations.

Roy Keane (67 Ireland caps) - It's Roy Keane.

Neil Lennon - Currently bookies favorite. I think I'd rather give Stephen Kenny one more campaign.

Kieron McKenna - Doing well with Ipswich but would probably be the candidate most likely to be looking to stay in full time league football. On current trajectory could well be managing in the Premier League in the next few years.

Gus Poyet - Has seemingly thrown his hat into the ring, but to me it seems more likely he's trying to stiff the Greek FA for a new contract with improved terms. An interesting option none the less.

Steven Reid (23 Ireland caps) - Previously acted as assistant to Steve Clarke with Scotland. Currently on coaching staff with Forest. Similar profile to Carsley, but working for Scotland rather than England would likely mean a move the the FAI would be less of a culture shock.

Non-runners: Jim Goodwin, didn't work out with Aberdeen; Rafa Benitez, the FAI can't afford him.

Anyone else anyone would suggest as a potential candidate?

[Razors left peg]

Carsley the only one on that list Id like to give it too realistically (McKenna wont leave club football just yet).

Brian Barry Murphy could be interesting. Currently in the role at Man City that Carsley once occupied. Not a fantastic record at Rochdale... but not many would have there!

Before this weekend no one would have thought about Gus Poyet, so I think there should be a wide net cast to see whats available out there. Postecouglou was unheard of before Celtic, as was Di Zerbi before Brighton.



Edit: In response to ruling out Jim Goodwin in above post.... was a favorite of mine before things went badly at Aberdeen, but a lot of managers have 1 or 2 clubs where it didnt work out for some reason. He has at least responded well and has Dundee UTD top of Scottish Championship. Not great level obviously, but Id rather him than most on the above list

[joey B]

I’ve seen people fire Vladimir Petkovic’s name around over the last couple of days and I’d not be against that profile of manager,vast international experience at a good level and presumably great knowledge of football on the continent,we tend to suggest a lot of UK and Irish options where they tend to operate in similar circles and maybe casting the net further a field again might be the way to go…..

[Razors left peg]

I’ve seen people fire Vladimir Petkovic’s name around over the last couple of days and I’d not be against that profile of manager,vast international experience at a good level and presumably great knowledge of football on the continent,we tend to suggest a lot of UK and Irish options where they tend to operate in similar circles and maybe casting the net further a field again might be the way to go…..


Andre Villas-Boas could be worth looking at. Chelsea probably came too soon for him, but he did ok at Spurs, Zenit and more recently Marseille. Hes available too

[Demesne Lad]

van Nistelrooy? Glasner?

[seanfhear]

Steve Clarke ~ But we would have to engineer some terrible falling out between Steve Clarke and the Scottish FA !

[elatedscum]

There’s certainly an argument for the FAI to take their time. Bar the Dutch game, the next competitive game is gonna be 11 months from now. A lot of good managers will become available in that time. Just using Poyet as an example, he’s not gonna be available until after the March playoffs - or after the euros in June if they qualify for it.

There’ll equally be a lot of club managers who are currently under contract but 11 months is such a long time in management that the pool of options available will continue to change. So unless there’s someone you really want like Lee Carsley or whoever, you might be better to hold out. To me, beyond him, there’s no outstanding candidate right now.

Obviously, on the other hand, there’s an advantage to getting someone in sooner, so they can have two camps with the players before World Cup qualification. But if there’s a bad appointment, it’s another 2-4 years down the drain

[ontheotherhand]

I think we need to keep giving it to LoI managers until one works (I don't really).

But if I did think that (I don't), here's my list in order:

1. Duff and O'Brien - I'm not sure who is having the bigger impact there....Joey will be a manager someday and they are very well organized defensively. But the combo is doing great work despite all the noise. Duff would be the only reasonably acceptable appointment from the league and it would be great to see him running up and down the wings again....as he does....every week in the technical area.

2. Kevin Doherty - Drogs would be way higher up the table if Evan Ferguson was up top.....Could he be temped away from Drogs soon-to-be full time set up though?

3. Bradley - not sure he could make international mgmt work but it would **** a load of people off so that'd be fun.

4. Ollie Horgan - I'd love to see what international refs would make of him.

5. Jon Daly - Has Pat's top of the form table but people keep telling me they are playing ****e. It'd be nice to play ****e and win for a change.



Realistically we will get what we can afford. So who's looking good in the LSL these days?

[samhaydenjr]

Pundit at Sky Sports Italia claiming that The Special One will be available at the end of the season: https://football-italia.net/mourinho-expected-to-leave-roma-at-the-end-of-the-season/

[Razors left peg]

I'm half serious, half joking here....

Thierry Henry. Has been an assistant in Belgium, currently France u21 manager. The headlines write themselves

[ontheotherhand]

I'm half serious, half joking here....

Thierry Henry. Has been an assistant in Belgium, currently France u21 manager. The headlines write themselves

There's joking and then there's this. How dare you.

[Olé Olé]

Roy Keane would probably guarantee securing a sponsor and a sell out of season tickets...

[Razors left peg]

/
There's joking and then there's this. How dare you.

I'm sure he'd be willing to lend a hand....

[Dermobohs]

Mark kennedy?

[seanfhear]

I'm half serious, half joking here....

Thierry Henry. Has been an assistant in Belgium, currently France u21 manager. The headlines write themselves
Please present yourself for a mental health evaluation ( tis a joke )

[backstothewall]

There’s certainly an argument for the FAI to take their time. Bar the Dutch game, the next competitive game is gonna be 11 months from now. A lot of good managers will become available in that time. Just using Poyet as an example, he’s not gonna be available until after the March playoffs - or after the euros in June if they qualify for it.

We could always appoint John O'Shea as a caretaker and see how he gets on.

For me the next manager could do with that 11 months of friendlies etc would be helpful for the next to get to grips with the job etc.

The fact that there is a bit of time and space there is a good arguement for throwing the net a bit wider and considering a more exoric choice. They will have time to familiarise themselves with the players before the real work begins.


Edit: In response to ruling out Jim Goodwin in above post.... was a favorite of mine before things went badly at Aberdeen, but a lot of managers have 1 or 2 clubs where it didnt work out for some reason. He has at least responded well and has Dundee UTD top of Scottish Championship. Not great level obviously, but Id rather him than most on the above list

Given how things have gone with Kenny I think there would be a uprising among elements of the support and media if we appointed a manager from the Scottish second tier (or the League of Ireland for that matter).

[ifk101]

Gary Dicker? He knows the players and how we play, and he's been to Greece (for the exotic element).

[dynamo kerry]

Carsley, Reid and kennedy are all interesting as coaches. I don't know if they have the "managerial" nous too. Carsley probably has a huge team of people.
There's risk everywhere. Keane is a manager and while I like the idea, a really good coach would be needed who was happy to play second fiddle. It could be now or never because these guys are the generation that were 3 or 4 when keane retired.

Lennon, no thanks. Hughton, if he has a particular vision.

Duff would be interesting.

The good news is Duffy and Doherty are the only old dudes left so whoever comes in has to pick youth. In some ways Kennys legacy is all the debuts he handed out.. I prefer to focus on those positives.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Carsley is interesting - but dynamo could be right with him having a team of people around him

Reid in underrated in my opinion

Kennedy always struck me as not being the most intelligent of people - I think lower leagues is his limit.

The Poyet stuff is nonsense.

I wouldn't fancy Lennon - I think he is a bit too one dimensional - and Bruce is similar

We are not getting McKenna - he is a rising star in England - and I would touch Keane with a barge-pole (he wouldn't have the patience to work with the kids).

Vladimir Petkovic would be an interesting possibility - a lot of experience, including a decent spell as Swiss manager.

The obvious choice would by Hughton - who, from my sources, has indicated that he has learned a lot about international football in comparison to club management over the past couple of years. Steven Reid (or Brian Barry Murphy) as his assistant would be a good option.

But I could see the FAI going for someone like Duff - who has done nothing to warrant consideration. It would be PR appointment - and probably end in disaster. If we were staying local I would much prefer to have Jim Crawford.

[gastric]

John Eustace?

[Jolly Red Giant]

John Eustace?
Wouldn't say no - but I still think he will replace Ainsworth at QPR in the next couple of weeks

[Stuttgart88]

Carsley the superficially obvious candidate. BBM would have to be considered.

But I think the Postecoglou, De Zerbi success justs shows little any of us knows about what's really available out there.

Lennon would be a terrible choice. None of the LOI guys are experienced enough or good enough. Bradley really frustrates me at Rovers despite the now likely 4 in a row. He regularly comes off second best in tactical battles. Goodwin or Kevin Doherty could be good candidates to replace him.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Genuinely worried the FAI will take a punt on Robbie Keane.

[pineapple stu]

But I think the Postecoglou, De Zerbi success justs shows little any of us knows about what's really available out there.
Yeah, exactly this for me.

It can still be fun to throw out names on a forum, mind. Unless they're all uninspiring ones like the names on here (no reflection on the posters putting them out there!)

I'd hope for a left-field appointment that turns out to be quite good, but I fear we're damaged goods such that we'll get tried, trusted, and slightly old.

Or Robbie Keane, of course, who may be keen to leave Tel Aviv.

[ifk101]

If manager X has success at club level, that generally puts him out of our reach? And there is a need for a "name" to be appointed, making left field appointments difficult. Lots of snide comments about where Kenny's next job address is, very few go on to better things after the Ireland job.

Preferable to have a structure where we can promote from within, using the various underage positions as stepping stones to becoming the senior manager.

[JR89]

If it had to be someone from the betting list would say Chris Hughton is the best from a bad bunch. I wouldn't include Carsley cause I don't think he'll take a step backwards in his career unless full time senior management isn't his thing.

Surprised Chris Wilder hasn't been included in any betting lists. Unemployed and has had a couple of short stints at clubs since Sheffield United. An international gig might be something that suits him.

Ange was mentioned as an example of there's more out there when you look beyond the UK and Ireland so Kevin Muscat could be a name. Has won leagues in Australia and Japan. He joined a Belgian team after his stint at Melbourne but was sacked after six months. Ireland job might be an opportunity to put himself on display for clubs in the UK.

[Fixer82]

I like Carsley but he hasn't done anything as a senior manager.

I felt Kerr was judged by certain players for having done nothing in senior high-level management.

I also think Kenny probably doesn't command the respect that someone like Hughton, who has managed in Premier League, would.

[nigel-harps1954]

It'll probably end up being Roy Keane.

[tetsujin1979]

If manager X has success at club level, that generally puts him out of our reach? And there is a need for a "name" to be appointed, making left field appointments difficult. Lots of snide comments about where Kenny's next job address is, very few go on to better things after the Ireland job.

Preferable to have a structure where we can promote from within, using the various underage positions as stepping stones to becoming the senior manager.
Kenny's a lot younger, in managerial terms, than his predecessors when they stepped down. I can see him working as a manager again.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Would Graham Potter be an utterly outlandish suggestion? Great at Brighton, but perhaps looking for something a bit different after the disaster at Chelsea, has worked outside England too.

[Diggs246]

It'll probably end up being Roy Keane.


I don't want him but unfortunately you are right, he will take it while continuing his tv stuff

Stadiums full and sponsors back onboard

[Rayzor]

[QUOTE=Fixer82;2165174]I like Carsley but he hasn't done anything as a senior manager.

I felt Kerr was judged by certain players for having done nothing in senior high-level management.

Think it totally different when a manager has had a successful playing career, playing at a high level both domestically and internationally, Kerr and Kenny would of been complete unknowns to some of the squad. Also Carsley won manager of the month in the championship while Brentford manager and was offered the job full time. Turned it down because he has a child with a disability so international management would seem to suit him better.

[pineapple stu]

Would Graham Potter be an utterly outlandish suggestion?
In terms of ability, not at all.

In terms of "Would he want it?" -


Graham Potter is reportedly paid £10m at Chelsea, just ahead of Erik ten Hag (£9m) and Mikel Arteta (£8.3m).

That from here (https://metro.co.uk/2023/03/26/how-much-do-premier-league-players-and-managers-get-paid-18504800/#:~:text=Liverpool%20boss%20Klopp%20is%20paid,Arte ta%20(%C2%A38.3m).) (just a random Google). It reckons the lowest-paid Premier League manager is still on £1.5m per year.

Course there's only 20 jobs going in the Premier, but even so you'd have to imagine Potter would fancy his chances at getting another role before committing to such a large pay cut to join us.

[JR89]

Only chance of getting Graham Potter is if you've got a time machine to bring the year back to 2017/2018 when he was still managing in Sweden.

[seanfhear]

Only chance of getting Graham Potter is if you've got a time machine to bring the year back to 2017/2018 when he was still managing in Sweden.
Or, Harry Potter ! !

[John83]

I don't know that the direct comparison of pay is that relevant. The international management job is a totally different beast, far less work. There must be managers who fancy stepping back from the grind, even temporarily.

[Stuttgart88]

I think the FAI needs someone who isn't usinmg the job as a shop window or short-term CV fix. Potter has the ability but he'd be off to a PL club in a heartbeat if he has any success with us.

[ltfc_2004]

Neil Warnock is available .....

Someone mentioned Kevin Muscat he was in the running for the Rangers job at one stage.

Perhaps someone managing in the Ukrainian leagues might prefer a bit of peace and calm. Darijo Srna is at Shakhtar or the legend Mircea Lucescu at Dynamo but he is 78 but previously managed Romania and Turkey.

Probably can't afford him but Paulo Fonseca of Lille and his style of football might suit us. Igor Tudor did ok with Marseille last season. Laurent Blanc is available as well.

Anyway I am throwing random names against the wall whilst the FAI wait to speed dial Neil Lennon and Steve Bruce !!!!

[pineapple stu]

I don't know that the direct comparison of pay is that relevant. The international management job is a totally different beast, far less work. There must be managers who fancy stepping back from the grind, even temporarily.
Possibly, though the list of current international managers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_national_football_team_managers) across Europe doesn't have many ex-Premier League managers in it, or even high-profile managers outside the big countries.

You've a mix of the underage manager being promoted (I don't think Crawford is a serious candidate though?), a decent domestic manager stepping up (which is what we have now, and I don't think Bradley is a serious candidate), a big name manager (Deschamps, Martinez, Nagelsmann - but we can't afford that), and some left-field appointments (Willy Sagnol at Georgia for example)

You could argue Poyet is an exception to that - a former Premier League manager who may be within our budget - but in the 3½ years before taking over at Greece, his only work was six months in Chile.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Genuinely worried the FAI will take a punt on Robbie Keane.
Oh f*ck - no - don't even suggest it

[Diggs246]

No Chance Robbie was very unwise with his 250k no work salary

[ifk101]

Presumably John O'Shea and Keith Andrews will put their names forward, individually or as a duo? Think it is fair to assume that both are quite ambitious and diligent in their duties. But not sure if they have the ability to get on-field performances + results.

[JR89]

Possibly, though the list of current international managers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_European_national_football_team_managers) across Europe doesn't have many ex-Premier League managers in it, or even high-profile managers outside the big countries.

You've a mix of the underage manager being promoted (I don't think Crawford is a serious candidate though?), a decent domestic manager stepping up (which is what we have now, and I don't think Bradley is a serious candidate), a big name manager (Deschamps, Martinez, Nagelsmann - but we can't afford that), and some left-field appointments (Willy Sagnol at Georgia for example)

You could argue Poyet is an exception to that - a former Premier League manager who may be within our budget - but in the 3½ years before taking over at Greece, his only work was six months in Chile.

Another left field example and also a FB in his playing days is Sylvinho. Appointed manager of Albania back in January and sits top of their group having already played Poland and Czech Republic twice so as good as qualified with games against Moldova and Faroes next month.

Seamus Coleman player/manager.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Presumably John O'Shea and Keith Andrews will put their names forward, individually or as a duo? Think it is fair to assume that both are quite ambitious and diligent in their duties. But not sure if they have the ability to get on-field performances + results.
Neither have any managerial experience


Another left field example and also a FB in his playing days is Sylvinho. Appointed manager of Albania back in January and sits top of their group having already played Poland and Czech Republic twice so as good as qualified with games against Moldova and Faroes next month.
Interesting suggestion


Seamus Coleman player/manager.
Another interesting suggestion - and probably he only one of this cohort that I would think worthwhile giving a chance - does he have his coaching badges yet?

[JR89]

Neither have any managerial experience


Interesting suggestion


Another interesting suggestion - and probably he only one of this cohort that I would think worthwhile giving a chance - does he have his coaching badges yet?

Only has his UEFA B atm. Might be completing his UEFA A as it's three years since he completed his B licence. Definitely strikes me as someone that will look to go into management once his playing days are over.

[CSAD]

Like it's been said by someone here, the right appointment might be someone we aren't even thinking of. This is why the FAI need to be wise when searching for the next manager rather than just going for the safe option like they've done in the past.

[Fixer82]

I can see a Robbie Keane and Damien Duff management ticket in the FAI's near future

[JR89]

Like it's been said by someone here, the right appointment might be someone we aren't even thinking of. This is why the FAI need to be wise when searching for the next manager rather than just going for the safe option like they've done in the past.

Might be a positive that Marc Canham will be involved in finding potential targets for the FAI to interview. Should surely have some contacts with people that wouldn't even come on the FAIs radar if it was left to the board to find options.

[EalingGreen]

Andre Villas-Boas could be worth looking at. Chelsea probably came too soon for him, but he did ok at Spurs, Zenit and more recently Marseille. Hes available tooHas had seven managerial jobs, the longest he's stayed in any, sacked or resigned, was Zenit: 2 years and 2 months.

So even if you could get (i.e. pay) him, which must be highly doubtful imo, you'd imagine he'd be good for just the one campaign before he got itchy feet again.

Though if you could wangle him an entry to the Circuit of Ireland rally, that might swing it?

[ifk101]

Neither have any managerial experience

True (not my choice btw), but ....


Another interesting suggestion - and probably he only one of this cohort that I would think worthwhile giving a chance - does he have his coaching badges yet?

.... you are willing to take a punt on Coleman who doesn't have managerial experience???