New Irish manager

[Jerry The Saint]

He wasn't joking, he merely pointed out his ancestry. I know him and he's alright. He'd be good for us.

*COUGH*

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/coppell-interest-in-ireland-post--was-just-a-joke-1203913.html


Coppell interest in Ireland post was 'just a joke'
By DANIEL McDONNELL
Friday October 26 2007


STEVE COPPELL has described as 'flippant' comments he made in a television interview suggesting he would be interested in managing Ireland.


The Reading boss, who has indicated a desire to get involved in the international game, made his remarks in an interview with Pat Dolan that will broadcast on Setanta Sports before tomorrow's Premiership clash with Newcastle.

"The Irish job, I think, is a terrific job. I have a fascination about international football and the appeal of 10 games a year would be terrific," said Coppell.

"I've told Kevin Doyle to tell everyone my grandmother was Irish. Maybe international football would be something that I'd be tickled by. I am tickled by it. It's an opportunity of doing things a different way, it's not the grind."

However, Coppell moved yesterday to suggest that his comments could be misinterpreted and feels it would be 'mischievous' to link him with the post.

"As a joke I said my grandmother was Irish but that's all it was, a joke. I don't know if it got interpreted the wrong way but I wouldn't read too much into it," he said.

Meanwhile, one of Coppell's Irish contingent, Stephen Hunt, believes that the players deserve blame for Steve Staunton's departure but added that results made it difficult for the Louth man to continue.

- DANIEL McDONNELL

:)

[geysir]

The betting for
"Next Permanent Irish Manager" has really opened up now, I'm relaxeds as long as O'Leary continues his slide.

Brady (imo is a rank outsider) at ridiculous odds of 6/1

http://www.paddypower.com/bet?action=go_type&category=SOCCER&disp_cat_id=&ev_class_id=115&ev_type_id=8810&ev_oc_grp_ids=53091&bir_index=

[Bluebeard]

Looking at the Poll It seems A.N. Other is the most popular candidate. FAI please note :D

No use.

He lined out for Carlow hurlers in the league twice last year. The GAA have him sown up, and I doubt we'll "turn" him.

Pity, as he has great sporting pedigree.

[RogerMilla]

lined out for ireland in the rugby world cup as well this year , what an all rounder

[youngirish]

Is it pure madness to state that the best candidtate in the top 5 is O'Leary? I know Houillier has a decent managerial record but is he really the man to get the best out of our team? I can't see us being as robust defensively as any of the teams he's managed in the past no matter what his tactics are (player-wise we are quite weak in this area particularly with JOS hanging around and an injury or two).

The style of football he played at Liverpool relied on defensively being sound while using the punt up the pitch to the big man, small quick man striker combination to grab goals or alternatively the well worked set-piece to the big defender. I can't see this style of play working with the players we currently have and on a purely aesthetic front it was dreadful to watch though if it gets results I could force myself to put up with it for a few years. I'll admit that Lyon were more pleasing on the eye though.

As for the other candidates, Venables best days are long behind him and he can't be relied on if things are going well to stick around and see the job through. As for Brady and Souness - two wasters that would be second only to Stan in terms of the FAI's list of terrible managerial appointments.

I'm no great fan of O'Leary (his post match interviews after a defeat make me physically ill) but other than Jewell, Jol or Coppell I can't see too many appointments at the top end of the booking table that would make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

[EalingGreen]

Not that I'm going to part with any money, but Steve Bruce at 66/1 looks an attractive price to me - at least compared with some of the other "candidates".

I say that for two reasons. First, he is very possibly going to be out of a job soon, if that takeover of Birmingham City ever goes ahead. And second, he presumably knows a bit about it, what with his son Alex and all.

Hang on, just re-thinking that second one: if Bruce does know anything about the job, then he probably knows a bit about Delaney & Co, so the odds may be more a reflection of his lack of interest than his suitability...

[Dr. Ogba]

Not that I'm going to part with any money, but Steve Bruce at 66/1 looks an attractive price to me - at least compared with some of the other "candidates".

I say that for two reasons. First, he is very possibly going to be out of a job soon, if that takeover of Birmingham City ever goes ahead. And second, he presumably knows a bit about it, what with his son Alex and all.

Hang on, just re-thinking that second one: if Bruce does know anything about the job, then he probably knows a bit about Delaney & Co, so the odds may be more a reflection of his lack of interest than his suitability...


that would never ever happen....Bruce is definitely not the type of manager the FAI want to wheel out if they're looking to appease the fans and get full-houses for the upcoming glamour friendlies...

Bruce is a chancer plain and simple, and the only reason Birmingham have a hope of staying up this year is because 2 of the relegation spots are already sewn up by absolutely shocking teams...

I'd sooner have O'Leary or Souness to be honest :eek::eek:

[EalingGreen]

that would never ever happen....Bruce is definitely not the type of manager the FAI want to wheel out if they're looking to appease the fans and get full-houses for the upcoming glamour friendlies...

Bruce is a chancer plain and simple, and the only reason Birmingham have a hope of staying up this year is because 2 of the relegation spots are already sewn up by absolutely shocking teams...

I'd sooner have O'Leary or Souness to be honest :eek::eek:

As I said, I certainly wouldn't put any money on it, it's just that he has a number of the qualities which ought to appeal:
1. He's likely soon available and wouldn't have to move house, country etc;
2. His club wouldn't require much compensation (if at all);
3. He's experienced and reasonably competent;
4. He knows the players and the language;
5. His wage demands aren't going to be so high as some of the candidates being touted;
6. He's already got a connection via his son. (Indeed, it may have been him who advised Alex to choose ROI over NI?)

I'm not saying he'd necessarily do a good job, but he's at least as well qualified as McCarthy was when he took over and considerably more so than Stan.

P.S. If the FAI's main criteria for appointing a new manager are to "appease the fans" and "get full houses" for a couple of friendlies, then you really are in a spot of bother! :eek:

[Superhoops]

3. He's experienced and reasonably competent;


What exactly has he achieved to be deemed 'reasonably competent'?

I don't think we want a manager whose competency is only rated as 'reasonable' ? :confused:

[EalingGreen]

What exactly has he achieved to be deemed 'reasonably competent'?

I don't think we want a manager whose competency is only rated as 'reasonable' ? :confused:

I am by no means advocating Bruce to be the next ROI manager, but unless the FAI intend shelling out big money for a big name appointment (Houllier, Jol, O'Neill etc), I'd have thought they'd more realistically be going for a "mid-range" appointment i.e. someone with managerial experience at a decent level, and at the right age and stage in his career to be tempted towards international management. If so, Bruce would appear to fit the Bill, and may be out of a job soon enough. That was why I wondered at his odds of 66-1, when far less suitable or likely candidates' odds are much shorter.

As for his competence, whilst there are some clear blips in his record, I would say these were as much to do with personal differences with his Chairmen (and who couldn't fall out with Simon Jordan?), as with his failings in the job. And to have lasted seven years at Brum, gaining two promotions along the way, is not a bad record for a club of that size (imo):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Bruce

Mind you, with that face, he'd be a gift for the Sun and the other red-top rags (Mr. Potato Head?) :p

[zenokelly]

Lads HOULLIER is by far the most successful manager in the race (as the bookies see it) and facts do not tell lies.

He would be the best and safest appointment, at least we know we have a manager that has a successful background.

Whoever says they'd even prefare Coppell, don't mind Bruce, really are off their heads. Remember, Coppell is the manager that left Man City after just a month in 96 or 97 claiming it was because of pressure.:rolleyes: Don't get me wrong I think he is a good manager but not a better candidate than Houllier.

[tetsujin1979]

George Graham currently on NewsTalk talking about the weekend's Premiership games.
Said he wouldn't be interested in the job, but he thinks Dave O'Leary would be a good candidate, and that the job would be tempting to a lot of managers.

[Scram]

George Graham currently on NewsTalk talking about the weekend's Premiership games.
Said he wouldn't be interested in the job, but he thinks Dave O'Leary would be a good candidate, and that the job would be tempting to a lot of managers.

Yeah, he thought he would be good for the Leeds job too. Leeds were beaten 3-1 by Carlisle in League One on Saturday.

Sick of British football pundits and managers telling us what/who is good for us, especailly the many that said that we were unrealistic to expect to come higher than 4th in qualifying and Stan shouldn't be blamed.....fcukin hypocrites when you consider how they batter English managers if they don't win World Cups and European Cups. How would the English greet O'Leary as manager?!!

[geysir]

That's George Graham barred from the consultancy role then.

[Superhoops]

Right guys, here it is:

Performance Director: Gerard Houllier
Senior Team Manager: Graham Souness
Assistant Manager/Coach: Chris Hughton

Experience at international playing and coaching level: Yes
Experience of European competition structure: Yes
Experience at Premiership club level: Yes
Coaching skills/qualifications: Yes
Knowledge of club and international structure: Yes
Irish international connection/background: Yes
Man/Player management skills: Yes
Are they all available: Yes
Can we afford them: Yes

Dream Team or what????

[EalingGreen]

Right guys, here it is:

Performance Director: Gerard Houllier
Senior Team Manager: Graham Souness
Assistant Manager/Coach: Chris Hughton

Experience at international playing and coaching level: Yes
Experience of European competition structure: Yes
Experience at Premiership club level: Yes
Coaching skills/qualifications: Yes
Knowledge of club and international structure: Yes
Irish international connection/background: Yes
Man/Player management skills: Yes
Are they all available: Yes
Can we afford them: Yes

Dream Team or what????

I see where you're coming from and it has a great deal to commend it. However, I can also see one, small flaw which would banjax it from the start:
Graeme Souness reporting to Gerard Houllier?

I'd give it about a week and a half... ... and that's only if one of them was on holiday for the first week ;)

[jmurphyc]

Sounness would be far too much of a risk, and would fail in my opinion. Although anything is a step up from Staunton.

[Superhoops]

I see where you're coming from and it has a great deal to commend it. However, I can also see one, small flaw which would banjax it from the start:
Graeme Souness reporting to Gerard Houllier?

I'd give it about a week and a half... ... and that's only if one of them was on holiday for the first week ;)

If you look at the role that the FAI envisage for the International Performance Director (below), I don't think it would be Souness reporting to Houllier.

The International Performance Director will be responsible for the development of elite players at under-age level and the role will also oversee the National Academy at Abbotstown, He will work closely with FAI Technical Director Packie Bonner and his team who will be responsible for the development of players until they graduate from the Emerging Talent Programme.

That of course is different to the role that the 'Director of Football' plays in the club game.

What I think may work as an alternative is for Liam Brady to take on the International Performance Director role, which would be a broadly similar role to what he currently has at Arsenal.

However, Houlier has a proven track record in this role at international level in France and along with his Premiership and European club manager experience and track record, something Brady does not have, then Houllier would be the preferred choice.

[Wolfie]

Lets not allow Stan's embarassingly not existent Managerial experience and ability cloud the new appointment.

Many could fall into the trap of advocating the appointment of someone who just happens to have practically any experience - but have they displayed the managerial traits we require in the past and are they the right man for the job?

Fair enough, Houllier has previous international and Premiership experience - but is he the right man for us? He's one of the most experienced to show some interest so far.

Experience doesn't necessarily equate to qualified.

He was quite defensive minded for Liverpool and overall his tenure there was not a blinding success. As pointed out at the weekend, he was into his 6th year of a 5 year plan when he was sacked. He also won't have recourse to the transfer market - which may be a good thing in relation to Houllier.

We'll know who we've drawn in the qualifiers in the next few weeks and should hopefully have the first indications of exactly how much the FAI are willing to spend.

The more lucrative salary could prove a red herring - it hasn't smoked out any surprise candidates as yet - but early days.

That said, we've a predominantly young team with great potential with the right guidance - we should aim high in relation to the appointment. I'd rather ask and be told no, rather than wonder if there may have been some interest had they been asked.

Will our crack team of Consultants be making the approaches to who they consider to be the Manager or will the candidate have to express an interest first?

[Drumcondra 69er]

Yeah, he thought he would be good for the Leeds job too. Leeds were beaten 3-1 by Carlisle in League One on Saturday.
Sick of British football pundits and managers telling us what/who is good for us, especailly the many that said that we were unrealistic to expect to come higher than 4th in qualifying and Stan shouldn't be blamed when you consider how they batter English managers if they don't win World Cups and European Cups. How would the English greet O'Leary as manager?!!
Leeds were 5th in the Premiership and had won 7 of their last 10 games when O'Leary was sacked. You really want to see who ruined Leeds on the pitch and who's being touted by elements in the media (Cheers for that Dion Fanning, do you really think the majority of fans would want the below??)

Hell Tell
CRYSTAL PALACE 1976-80

Promoted from his coaching role at Crystal Palace in 1976, Terence
Frederick Venables took managerial charge from Malcolm Allison and
saw his Eagles soar from Third Division to First in three dizzy
seasons. With success built on Allison's brave youth policy, sages
such as Jeff Powell dubbed Palace the 'Team of the Eighties'.

But Jeff and his mates were too easily pleased, frankly, for
although Palace topped the First Division the following season, the
leaves were not yet off the trees, and by the season's end,
mid-table obscurity was the best Venables could muster. With that, a
younger, leaner, less tikka-tinged El Tel took his sheepskin coat
and burgeoning reputation off to west London, leaving Palace in
disarray.

QPR 1980-84

As Palace slipped back down to the Second, Tel kept himself buoyant
by winning promotion to the First Division (after three seasons) and
taking the Rs to the 1982 FA Cup final (one of the most intensely
irritating of all time; 210 minutes of abject tedium with Glenn
Hoddle emerging as the hero).


Taking a small club up - and to Wembley - put him right up there
with greats of the game like Graham Taylor (although unlike Watford,
QPR never became league runners-up under Tel's tutelage). In fact,
you can't even compare Tel's achievements at this level to those of
Southampton's Lawrie McMenemy, who not only matched Taylor's
achievements but won the Cup as well.


Can't compare to Lawrie McMenemy: now there's a damning phrase if
ever there was one. (SM)

BARCELONA 1984-87

Tel's amazing feats in west London caught the attention of Barcelona
president Josep Lluis Nunez, who was in no way looking for a cheap
option to replace Cesar Luis Menotti. On the face of it, Tel did
reasonably well: his team won a weak Spanish league in his first
season, and made the last two of a ****-poor post-Heysel European
Cup field in his second.

But his decision-making was more often than not found wanting. He
chose to sign Steve Archibald ahead of Hugo Sanchez, a man who would
later become a La Liga legend at Real Madrid. He played a patently
unfit Archibald in Barca's abject European Cup final defeat at the
hands of Steaua Bucharest. And he didn't listen to his staff when
they pleaded with him to rebuild his humiliated team around the
sublime skills of Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, choosing instead
to sign Gary Lineker (poach!) and Mark Hughes (hoof!).

By the end of Tel's reign, Barca were being trashed out of sight
home and away by Dundee United, while Milan's Dutch contingent were
about to swagger all over Europe. A great continental manager
indeed. (SM)

TOTTENHAM 1987-91

Let's put aside the 1991 FA Cup. For a start, Forest should have
walked the final; and in any case, Tottenham's whole run was down to
the supernatural feats of one rotund Geordie (and one hell of a
lucky draw).

The rest of it? Well, there's all that faffing around in the world
of business. And boy, could Tel faff. If he wasn't trying to wedge
his chubby legs and feet under the White Hart Lane boardroom table,
he was spending increasing amounts of time looking after his
nightclub investments. And singing bad songs. While being discussed
in depth on Panorama.

It all came to a head when Alan Sugar tired of Tel's meddling and
ousted him - but let's not use that to deflect attention from his
on-the-pitch record. Venables was never able to compensate for the
loss of key players. Gazza, Chris Waddle, Richard Gough and Neil
Ruddock were replaced with sub-standard fare, so Spurs under
Venables drifted aimlessly in mid-table. The excuse was, of course,
that he had no money to spend. One question: isn't this guy supposed
to be England's best coach? (SM)

ENGLAND 1994-96

During the first two years of Tel's stewardship, England played some
of the most mind-numbing football of all time. Friendlies against
Denmark, Nigeria, Romania, Norway, Uruguay, Sweden, Colombia,
Bulgaria, Croa... you've slipped into a light coma, haven't you?

England's Euro 96 team was not a good one. The hosts could only
honestly claim to have bettered Holland, a team rife with internal
racial conflict. An unlucky Scotland were only undone by a moment of
genius, as Paul Gascoigne turned up to salvage Tel's reputation once
again; the Swiss and Spanish both deserved to win.

England then played above themselves in their final game before
going out bravely. This makes Tel nothing special; they always do
this. Although interestingly, the only England manager in recent
times NOT to preside over a brave departure from a major
championship is Sven-Goran Eriksson, another man with a reputation
disproportionate to his ... ah, but that's another story.

PORTSMOUTH 1996-97

Brought in as a consultant to revive ailing Portsmouth in August
1996, Venables treated himself to a 51% stake in the club for a
solitary pound and took the chairman's reigns. All the while
attempting to steer Australia to the 1998 World Cup finals in a
part-time managerial role.

After less than a year at the club, having struggled to attract the
investment he hoped for to Fratton Park, El Tel walked away, after a
bitter wrangle, with around £250,000 for his shareholding. He'd
reportedly been holding out for £500,000, with Pompey bottom of the
First Division and losing £150,000 a month.

Before the compromise was reached, Portsmouth's ever-unpopular
former chairman Martin Gregory summed it up best: "The time is right
for Venables to go. He should walk away. I realise I am not the most
popular person in Portsmouth but things were never this bad."

AUSTRALIA 1996-97

Prior to their elimination from the 2002 World Cup, Terry Venables
was responsible for the darkest hour in Australia's football
history. Granted, that's really not saying very much, and from a
Pom's point of view, is really no bad thing either.

But having won their first 12 games with Venables as manager, the
Socceroos ripped through their Oceana group and into a two-leg
play-off with mighty Iran. The Aussies, boasting a team stuffed with
European-based players, looked to be heading to their first World
Cup since 1974, particularly after a 1-1 draw in Tehran. And you'd
have bet your fancy west-end nightspot on them heading to France
when they found themselves two goals up with just 10 minutes of the
decider remaining.

But if you had, you'd be in the market for a new nightspot, as two
late Iran strikes saw them through on away goals. To this very day,
El Tel struggles to explain what went wrong.

CRYSTAL PALACE 1998-99

Never go back, they say, and on this occasion, they were spot on.
Perhaps Venables thought he had unfinished business at Palace. Then
again, call us cynical, but maybe he had another less romantic
incentive for returning. Perhaps it was the £750,000 net contract he
was given, more than Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger were earning at
that time. No wonder Venables crowed: "Palace was my first club as
manager and now I think it could be my last."

But by the time of his first Palace game - an InterToto Cup match
against Samsunspor - El Tel was elsewhere, having taken the evening
off, claiming to be worn out from his television work during the
World Cup. Trouble was clearly brewing, and within six months, after
having voiced concerns that insufficient funds were being made
available (and with a reported clause in his contract, giving him 2%
of every transfer sale), Venables had stepped down to become a
"consultant".

It was only fair that he left with another sizeable pay-off. It's
difficult to imagine a more sorry episode than Venables' Portsmouth
affair, but this was it.

MIDDLESBROUGH 2000-01

With the good ship Middlesbrough heading for the rocks with Bryan
Robson at the wheel, Boro chairman and bankroller Steve Gibson came
over all sweaty at the prospect of slipping out of the Premiership
and losing several million pounds in the process.

Sensing the importance of tactics in the modern game, Gibson asked
Venables to help out alongside Robson, a variation on their England
partnership of the mid-1990s. In truth, it was Venables who called
the shots, and steered Boro to eight wins in 25 matches and clear of
relegation. He became a saviour on Teeside, though in effect, all
he'd really proved was that he was a better manager than Bryan
Robson - a trick even Phil Neal may have pulled off.

Having proved to his doubters that he'd not lost the old magic, Tel
declined a full-time contract at Boro for the comfort of a seat next
to Des Lynam.

LEEDS 2002-03

Just like at Palace three years' earlier, Tel missed his first game
in charge of Leeds. What was the problem? He was filming for the
BBC's Holiday programme. Some things never change.

Took a top 5 squad in to relegation trouble playing Harry Kewell as an out and out striker, Mark Viduka in the hole, Erik Bakke as a holding midfielder while ignoring David Batty and driving Ollie Dacourt to Italy. Sold Robbie Keane to make way for Nick Barmby. Bought Paul Okon.

[onephillyhughes]

That Leeds bit reminds me of Souness at Newcastle:D

[Lionel Ritchie]

Reminds me of witnessing some grissly murder

[Metrostars]

Right guys, here it is:

Performance Director: Gerard Houllier
Senior Team Manager: Graham Souness
Assistant Manager/Coach: Chris Hughton

Experience at international playing and coaching level: Yes
Experience of European competition structure: Yes
Experience at Premiership club level: Yes
Coaching skills/qualifications: Yes
Knowledge of club and international structure: Yes
Irish international connection/background: Yes
Man/Player management skills: Yes
Are they all available: Yes
Can we afford them: Yes

Dream Team or what????


2 failed ex-Liverpool managers: No thanks

[onephillyhughes]

So once again our national manager would come in and need an ex-international manager to hold his hand? Thats progression...

A manager whos man management skills are poor at best.
Another consultant (or whatever he is) who this time is a failure at international level.


Dream team my hole :p

[Dr. Ogba]

Why are we suggesting management teams ffs???!!! Can we not just get in a manager that is competent enough to do the job BY HIMSELF??:confused:

[Superhoops]

2 failed ex-Liverpool managers: No thanks

So if it was just Houllier on his own (as you indicated would be your choice) we would only get 1 failed Liverpool manager and that would be OK then? :confused:

[geysir]

I think we would be doing well to get Houllier.
He deserves his own thread:)
No use pining after a manager who is under contract and content where he is.
I see after Houllier was pushed out of the French job in 1993 he took over the French youths for awhile. I like that. Not afraid to go back to boot camp.

[jmurphyc]

Houllier has the potential to possibly be a very good manager for us, however my only worry is that his time in international management was a failure, although this was 13 years ago, so maybe the experience he has gained in club management in the meantime has helped him to become a better overall manager.

[backstothewall]

No manager would be willing to work under a manager or Houliers reputation. He would always be looking over his shoulder. e.g. Mourinho-Grant, Redknapp-Zajec

One of the reasons I would like Liam Brady as performance director is because he was such an awful manager, and would be no threat to anyone, but with tremendous experience in youth development.

Ohh, and call me old fashioned and zenophobic, but he's Irish.

[geysir]

If Roy Keane manages to get Sunderland relegated in his second season there, will people will be saying its part of his learning curve or that he was an awful manager?
Brady made mistakes in his first job at a big club in crisis, even with those mistakes he had whatever talent he had on the pitch playing good football, some say the best around, but not successful.
Brady should be judged on his work since then, earning the highest praise from Wenger.
No I don't think he should be manager but I would love to have him involved directly with Irish football.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Souness is correct in saying that his ex-Rangers background should have no bearing whatsoever but I think the only thing he has in his favour is the discipline he'd bring. Every other aspect of his managerial track record is underwhelming.

Houllier's track record is excellent and is as good a candidate as we can expect. What Irish manager has had anything like his degree of experience or success? Whether his is the style that'd ignite our players is my only doubt.

Houllier or a Jol/Hughton combo are my favoured options at the moment.

Also, what was Houllier and Heighway's relationship at Anfield? Did Houllier fully entrust Heighway with the youth set up? I think Heighway would be a good asset for Ireland's youth development and maybe would even be a credible assistant for Houllier.

Am I right in thinking Houllier offered Kerr a job at Anfield at one stage?

[Dr. Ogba]

Am I right in thinking Houllier offered Kerr a job at Anfield at one stage?

:eek: Never heard that one before!

You're right about Heighway though. It would be a major boost to the national setup to have lads like himself and Brady on board that have great experience in youth development...

[Wolfie]

Always have to consider the players perceptions in all of this.

It has been reported that Houllier and Kerr were friends. Not sure how close a friendship it is.

Would Houllier be tainted by an association with Kerr? Have to bear in mind that the players wanted Kerr out.

[tetsujin1979]

Am I right in thinking Houllier offered Kerr a job at Anfield at one stage?
I remember reading that Kerr was tipped to take over at the Academy when Heighway's contract was due to expire a few years ago, but then he was offered the senior international position, and Heighway stayed on.

[macdermesser]

Stating the bleedin obvious here, but if the FAI were smart, they should move quick on a manager now .. with the managerial merry-go-round already in full swing. Won't be long before the touted candidates like Houllier, Jol and Jewell are back in jobs, and both seem keen to be working again. And of course, cough .. Klinsmann and Mourihno.

However, I still doubt that any of the first three are really interested in taking the job. It will probably ultimately be a short list of Souness, some ex-Irish international and some foreign manager with an exotic name, who got a good write up in Four-Four-Two Magazine.

[Jerry The Saint]

Always have to consider the players perceptions in all of this.

It has been reported that Houllier and Kerr were friends. Not sure how close a friendship it is.

Would Houllier be tainted by an association with Kerr? Have to bear in mind that the players wanted Kerr out.

:eek:

I know Delaney hates Kerr but I don't think even he would be so petty as to rule out everyone he had a reasonable acquaintance with. I think the last thing we want to do is allow the players to have a say in picking the new manager. One of the main reasons (only reason:confused:) Staunton was brought in was that he was mates with some of the team and would bring back Mick Byrne to wake Duffer up with kisses and hug Robbie when we avoid a draw with San bleedin Marino.

[Wolfie]

:eek:

I know Delaney hates Kerr but I don't think even he would be so petty as to rule out everyone he had a reasonable acquaintance with. I think the last thing we want to do is allow the players to have a say in picking the new manager. One of the main reasons (only reason:confused:) Staunton was brought in was that he was mates with some of the team and would bring back Mick Byrne to wake Duffer up with kisses and hug Robbie when we avoid a draw with San bleedin Marino.

Wouldn't advocate the players picking the manager for a minute. One of the many failures of Stan's tenure was that he was too much "one of the lads".

Just threw out the Kerr / Houllier link in a Devils advocate way. I suppose the badly articulated point I was trying to make was "Would Houllier's approach be too much like Kerr's?"

[Superhoops]

Stating the bleedin obvious here, but if the FAI were smart, they should move quick on a manager now .. with the managerial merry-go-round already in full swing. Won't be long before the touted candidates like Houllier, Jol and Jewell are back in jobs, and both seem keen to be working again. And of course, cough .. Klinsmann and Mourihno.

However, I still doubt that any of the first three are really interested in taking the job. It will probably ultimately be a short list of Souness, some ex-Irish international and some foreign manager with an exotic name, who got a good write up in Four-Four-Two Magazine.

Houllier is already back in work having recently again taken up his pre-Liverpool days job of Technical Director at FFF

[geysir]

I wouldn't mind a manager who is less stubborn than Stan.
To Houllier's credit he accepted a demotion job, looking after the youths and later just an advisor to the '98 WC winning team.

I thought there was some friction between Heighway and Houllier.
Should Houllier get the job it's obvious he will pick his own staff.

[tetsujin1979]

I thought there was some friction between Heighway and Houllier.
Think it was because of the success the Academy was having, but so few players (if any) made it though to the senior team.

[Docboy]

I suppose the badly articulated point I was trying to make was "Would Houllier's approach be too much like Kerr's?"


I was only saying to someone the other day how similar Houllier's approach would be to that of Kerr who was dismissed in favour of Stan! On the whole Kerr did a decent enough job with Ireland, however, he just needed to be a bit more attack-minded at home and enjoy a bit more luck along the way. I'm sure the irony wouldn't be lost on him if the post did go to Houllier.

Just shows how times have changed.

[Wolfie]

Never fear, Aldo's here............................

Aldridge declares Irish interest

John Aldridge is ready, willing and able to assist the Republic of Ireland in any capacity.

The 49-year-old, who earned 69 caps for the Republic as a player, has decided not to apply for the vacant manager's job after twice being turned down for the role in the past.

But the former Liverpool striker, whose sole job in management was a five-year spell in charge of Tranmere that ended six years ago, would be interested in assisting the new regime.

'Obviously as a coach you've got to be interested in managing your country,' Aldridge said on Sky Sports News.

'Being able to work for your country in any capacity would be interesting.'

He added: 'I was interested the last couple of times when I put my name in the hat. It wasn't to be so third time lucky... you never know. I've never really given it thought in all honesty.'

Aldridge has also told Stephen Ireland to demonstrate the desire to get himself back into the Republic squad.

The Manchester City midfielder was left out of the party for the final European Championship qualifier against Wales in the wake of the latest incident in what has been a troubled couple of months for the 21-year-old.

Aldridge said: 'He's a very, very good player. I think Stephen really has to look at how much he wants to play for his country.

'First and foremost, when he gets the opportunity next time, he mustn't make the slip-ups he has in the past.

'He's going to be very influential for the future of Irish football for me. He's the type of player that we need. He's got to really want it badly.'

[co. down green]

I was only saying to someone the other day how similar Houllier's approach would be to that of Kerr who was dismissed in favour of Stan! On the whole Kerr did a decent enough job with Ireland, however, he just needed to be a bit more attack-minded at home and enjoy a bit more luck along the way. I'm sure the irony wouldn't be lost on him if the post did go to Houllier.

Just shows how times have changed.

Would like to see Kerr back managing the u21/B squad set up.

[Volcán Masaya]

Bruce Arena is available. Would be no worse than some of the hacks mentioned so far.

[Sligo Hornet]

Bruce Arena is available. Would be no worse than some of the hacks mentioned so far.

The O2 Arena and Wembley Arena are also available, but NONE are suitable!:rolleyes:

[NeilMcD]

Must say I was impressed with the O2 Arena when I was there for the Prince gig.

[Metrostars]

Bora is available: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/11/09/jamaica.coach/index.html?section=cnn_latest
:p

[SkStu]

The O2 Arena and Wembley Arena are also available, but NONE are suitable!:rolleyes:

i wouldnt mind giving it to Tina Arena :)

[CollegeTillIDie]

No use.

He lined out for Carlow hurlers in the league twice last year. The GAA have him sown up, and I doubt we'll "turn" him.

Pity, as he has great sporting pedigree.

Yes but speaking of hurlers maybe we should offer the job to Brian Cody? :D

[CollegeTillIDie]

i wouldnt mind giving it to Tina Arena :)

She might be tied up at the moment... I'll get my coat :D