The selection team

[ifk101]

Can we assume that our "headhunters" are currently not working in the football business? i.e. no current managers or coaches will be employed for the headhunting role?

If so, the headhunting team will be made up of "footballing people" that currently aren't employed in the football business (got to ask yourself why aren't they currently employed ;) ) - sounds good doesn't it? :D

So the headhunting team will likely be made up of TV pundits and some foreign bloke that nobody in the FAI knows on a personal level but read something about him in a tabloid - and because he is a foreigner he must know something of use.

[Stuttgart88]

I heard the name Odgers, Rey & Bernstein mentioned, a global search firm with a specialist sports department. I know an Irish guy there - I might call him for a chat!

David Davies, formerly of the FA (and earlier was a BBC match summariser on Grandstand - anyone remember that?) is being mentioned. Wasn't he implicated in the mishandling of Sven's contracts? I goit the impression he was starstruck by Sven and wasn't overly subjective in the appointment. It was Sven at all costs, as if he was some kind of messiah.

Niall Quinn means well but I just don't think he has the hard edge required. Sure, he's a successful businessman but only a complete gobshyte could have failed to amass a fortune given his high income and the concurrent asset price appreciation that was happening.

Kevin Moran has proven business savvy and is far less sentimental but do we know how well he understands the requirements? From watching respected players now working as pundits you've got to wonder just what they know about the game. In fact very often it's the lesser players in the game who actually seem to be the best thinkers / analysts.

David Dein is a guy who I'd trust to do the job well (but I wouldn't trust him in any other capacity!).

Roxburgh's an interesting one.

[citizenerased]

my respect for dunphy and gile plummetted when they were touting names like 'big Ron' and 'George Graham' about, although Dunphy did stay(prior to stan) than Leo Beenhakker should be Ireland manager

[eekers]

roxburgh is big mates with houllier and hodgson.
he served on various uefa technical committees with them down the years.

i fear a gary megson type appointment process. ie where megson's former agent was the headhunter for bolton.

[Stuttgart88]

roxburgh is big mates with houllier and hodgson.
he served on various uefa technical committees with them down the years.
Yes, he's in a kind of "coaching academics" clique which could well cloud his objectivity but then again, Houllier & Hodgson are a cut above almost everyone we've had in the past.

[Noelys Guitar]

I am not a fan of Roxburgh. Poor manager and being in EUFA means nothing. Did the Scottish FA approach Roxburgh for advice on Walter Smith or McLeish. No. The only people the FAI should be asking for advice are the best current international and club managers. Either employed or recently unemployed. If it is to be Quinn (shambles as a manager) or Moran (never managed beyond U11 Rangers of Bushy Park ( I know that because he was my manager. Truly intelligent, great person but why are we not approaching Hiddink, Beenhakker, Mourinho for advice. I guarantee you a half decent hack at Newstalk106 would be able to seek out and ask their advice so why not the FAI?) )

[geysir]

Even if it's a good idea to begin with, once the FAI get hold of it, it is fraught with danger.
I wouldn't trust the FAI with just having to press a failsafe red button.

Will the consultant(s) have sole discretion or will they just forward the top choices to the FAI board?
Either way the FAI are still involved. Which one has the potential for least harm?

[Wolfie]

It all leads back to the FAI one way or another.

According to the Independent today , the FAI "brainstormed" names for the possible consultants roles yesterday. Doesn't sound like the most scientific approach so far.

[geysir]

There's an oxymoron there somewhere.

[Wolfie]

There's an oxymoron there somewhere.

I reckon there's at least 10 poxy morons in there.

[SuperDave]

i think it's clear that the consultant role here is not being implemented just to find the best candidate for the job, but to absolve the board of the fai from responsibility if it goes wrong. delaney is an excellent politician above all else and he was badly bitten on the stan saga and this brainchild is his way of:

a) showing he is 'progressive' and willing to accept mistakes, learn from them and move on
and b) absolving himself of any responsibility if things go wrong.

if we actually find a decent manager, it is a big bonus as far as he is concerned, but if history has taught us one thing with regard to the fai, it's that is by and large a facesaving measure, where the stated objective and the unspoken objective don't really coincide.

[bennocelt]

Bobby Robson
Jim Beglin (why?)
Liam Brady
Phil Gartside (or David Dein) (Is this because he is in the news lately for picking Gary Megson and before that Sammy Lee)
Roy Keane(he cant buy a decent amount of players never mind a good manager


Beglin is a fool, cant believe his name is seriously mentioned here, then again so is Robsons name
My god even the selection committee is tough to call. Might need a pre-selection commitee to pick the selection commitee

Dein and Roxburgh are good choices, but please god tell me the FAI havent went with David Davies

[backstothewall]

Gartside is Irish, and also picked Big Sam from the 4th flight

Beglin is there as a journo, and like it or not the media are important in this process

And Robson because we are already paying him

[OwlsFan]

I assume there is still no word on this selection team? The vacuum is leaving it open for the pundits and journalists to take centre stage.

[eekers]

In light of Delaney ringing Paul Jewell last night, and Jewell turning it down, does this now mean that there is no selection committee and Delaney is in charge of the process? Does anyone have any insight?

[tetsujin1979]

In light of Delaney ringing Paul Jewell last night, and Jewell turning it down, does this now mean that there is no selection committee and Delaney is in charge of the process? Does anyone have any insight?I'd be more concerned if speaking with Delaney was the reason he turned it down, i.e. he was interested, spoke with Delaney, and now he's not so interested.

[eekers]

he spoke to giles before delaney last night.
and he informed giles he was no longer interested.
and then delaney got involved to confirm it.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_2900405,00.html


"I rang Johnny yesterday (Thursday) to say 'after serious consideration, I'm really flattered, I've decided not to be considered'.

"Then the FAI chief executive called me last night to ask me if I would re-consider. But I'm beginning to miss the day-to-day involvement with the players on the training ground, that's what I'm looking for now.

[tetsujin1979]

Fair enough, at least that's clarified.

[Noelys Guitar]

he spoke to giles before delaney last night.
and he informed giles he was no longer interested.
and then delaney got involved to confirm it.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_2900405,00.html

Good stuff eekers. Your stuff is spot on.

[eekers]

Good stuff eekers. Your stuff is spot on.

not really, personally i want to see these two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRuMoH0AXmM) in charge

[Bondvillain]

When Matt Cooper mentioned on Friday afternoon's 'Last Word' that John "Im not getting involved with the prospective management candidates" Delaney had gotten involved with a prospective management candidate by, well, talking directly to him on the phone, I thought Cooper was taking the pee.
Going by their reaction, I think Cascarino and Lawrenson did too....

(Apparently an outstanding deluge of anti-Venables sentiment was sent in by listeners too, which was mentioned several times during the broadcast, which is better than the usual "Venables : our number 1 choice" guff that other media outlets are faffing about with)

[TerryPhelan]

If my understanding is correct, today's Sunday Tribune has reported that Sir Bobby Robson has apparently been retained by the FAI as one part of the tripartite headhunting committee. Robson has consulted various figures in the English game regarding the appointment of the next Irish manager, Sir Alex Ferguson being one of those (Ferguson is reported as having said that "a certain Gerard H" seems to be a popular topic of conversation in FAI chatter).

So, my query is this: do we know who any of the 3-man committee are yet (if anyone can confirm that Robson is one-third of it?)

[Red&White Rover]

Stephen Staunton maybe?

Robson: So Stan, what do you think of Tony Venables for manager?
Stan: Well, you tell me.

[TerryPhelan]

Staunton for England.

[Donegalcelt]

Heard Andy Townsend is being appraoched. Big Ron it is then with Andy doing the Ally McCoist thing if his recommendations are heeded.

This whole head-hunting the head-hunters in bullsh*t IMO. The FAI are asking everyone in an off-the-record type of way because they're obviously paranoid of making a pure heims of the appointment again. People won't stand for it and the "Delaney Out" campaign, if it comes to that, will be too much for them to survive after the Stan debacle.

No-one, including them, wants to carry the can for another ****-up so basically they're asking anyone who'll listen to them and will only make it public if the media catch them out on it. Townsend will be in the headlines this week.

[eekers]

Bobby Robson, Don Howe and David Pleat are pretty much confirmed as the selection committee.
Good names but are they in any way in tune with feeling in Ireland with regard who the fans might want.
At least they dont have to read the muck in the media here though.

[shakermaker1982]

Bobby Robson, Don Howe and David Pleat are pretty much confirmed as the selection committee.
Good names but are they in any way in tune with feeling in Ireland with regard who the fans might want.
At least they dont have to read the muck in the media here though.

my fears about these 3 amigos? Don Howe has worked with El Tel (1 of England's coaches during their unsuccessful 96 campaign) and David Pleat is a Spurs man through and through who must love Venables because he's the only one who has won them anything of significance in the 25 years....I'm excluding the League Cup win under Graham. We don't have one Irish voice on that panel. When their selection goes tits up in 2 years time what will they care? It's just another x amount of sterling in their retirement fund. They should just appoint El Tel's wife and ask her to pick a manager.

[eekers]

David Pleat is a Spurs man through and through who must love Venables because he's the only one who has won them anything of significance in the 25 years....I'm excluding the League Cup win under Graham.

uefa cup '84 :)
and pleat was a better tottenham manager than venables that 87 team was the business.

Venables isnt that loved at Tottenham at all btw, he shafted the club for his own financial gain.

And Howe must hate him (being a gooner and all ;))

[shakermaker1982]

uefa cup '84 :)
and pleat was a better tottenham manager than venables that 87 team was the business.

Venables isnt that loved at Tottenham at all btw, he shafted the club for his own financial gain.

And Howe must hate him (being a gooner and all ;))


The Uefa cups not a real trophy :D

[eekers]

yes the uefa cup died in 2000

[stojkovic]

uefa cup '84 :)
and pleat was a better tottenham manager than venables that 87 team was the business.

Venables isnt that loved at Tottenham at all btw, he shafted the club for his own financial gain.

And Howe must hate him (being a gooner and all ;))

Are you saying that David Pleat was manager in 1984.

He wasnt, Keith Burkinshaw won the Uefa Cup in 84.

Or am I mis-reading your post.

[Armando]

Paul Dempsey on Setanta just said that Andy Townsend is on the selection commitee... Townsend is on their Champions League show tomorrow and he will be grilled about his role.

[eekers]

Are you saying that David Pleat was manager in 1984.

He wasnt, Keith Burkinshaw won the Uefa Cup in 84.

Or am I mis-reading your post.

yep
i probably shoudnt have that 'and' at the start of the second line

[eekers]

Paul Dempsey on Setanta just said that Andy Townsend is on the selection commitee... Townsend is on their Champions League show tomorrow and he will be grilled about his role.

perhaps
he'll be eating his own words though
found this in the vaults

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4161/is_20021110/ai_n12853308


Sunday Mirror, Nov 10, 2002 by ANDY TOWNSEND

I'VE read in the papers over the past few days that I'm to be involved in the FAI's selection process for a new manager.
I can tell you now that's a load of rubbish. I want nothing to do with the FAI, or its search to find a new Ireland boss.
There's not a cat's chance in hell that I would agree to be on any of their committees. And anyone - and I'm talking about ex-players here - who does agree to help out is setting themselves up for a fall.
You might as well line yourself up against a wall and be executed now. Because one thing's for sure, if the new manager turns out to be poor, who do you think would take the blame?

This consultative committee is just a ruse invented by the FAI big wigs to protect themselves as usual. It's an absurd idea. They should be big enough to make the decision for themselves without dragging ex-players and captains into it.


how times change

[Noelys Guitar]

According to the Examiner the selection threesome is Howe, Givens and Townsend.

[eekers]

According to the Examiner the selection threesome is Howe, Givens and Townsend.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=49063-qqqx=1.asp

interesting - so no robson who recommended venables to england in the mid 90s and no pleat who people reckoned would favour Venables because of tottenham links.

I really dont know what to make of Townsend or Givens who knows what either of them will be thinking.
Givens is employed by the FAI and Townsend doesnt think much of them.

[Armando]

According to the Examiner the selection threesome is Howe, Givens and Townsend.

Don Howe - assistant to Terry Venables at Euro 96.

Don Givens - Played with Terry Venables for years at QPR.

Andy Townsend - Worked with Terry Venables for years at ITV.


If these really are the 3 men then its a ****ing joke at this stage:mad:

Never mind their affiliation with Venables what in the blue hell merits Givens and especially Townsend being on the selection committee!!!:confused:

[danonion]

I think I might be thick or something, but why has Andy Townsend resurfaced a all??? Don't get me wrong, he was a fine international for us, but why him? He was three captains ago...Why not somebody like Ken Cunningham, who isn't (yet) as deep into the whole punditry thing.

[Real ale Madrid]

According to the Examiner the selection threesome is Howe, Givens and Townsend.

Only for i heard this on the radio this morning i would have thought this to be a wum.

Venables it is then - ah well can't be any worse than Stan.

I wonder about the FAI sometimes - is there someone from the GAA secretly running the FAI and deliberatly trying to make the organisation look as pathetic as possible?

[OwlsFan]

Don Howe - assistant to Terry Venables at Euro 96.

Don Givens - Played with Terry Venables for years at QPR.

Andy Townsend - Worked with Terry Venables for years at ITV.


If these really are the 3 men then its a ****ing joke at this stage:mad:

Never mind their affiliation with Venables what in the blue hell merits Givens and especially Townsend being on the selection committee!!!:confused:

If they worked with him, then they know whether he's good, bad or indifferent. Just because you worked with someone, doesn't mean you think the world of them as I am sure we all know.

[tetsujin1979]

Fairly disparaging article on the whole process from McDonnell this morning: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/kingmakers-or-pawns-1231940.html

[Stuttgart88]

Don Howe - assistant to Terry Venables at Euro 96.

Don Givens - Played with Terry Venables for years at QPR.

Andy Townsend - Worked with Terry Venables for years at ITV.


If these really are the 3 men then its a ****ing joke at this stage:mad:

Never mind their affiliation with Venables what in the blue hell merits Givens and especially Townsend being on the selection committee!!!:confused:Yes, it's astonishing. Appoint the 3 men most likely to advocate Venables.

[Stuttgart88]

Fairly disparaging article on the whole process from McDonnell this morning: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/kingmakers-or-pawns-1231940.html
Not disparaging enough!

[Bondvillain]

Don Howe - assistant to Terry Venables at Euro 96.

Don Givens - Played with Terry Venables for years at QPR.

Andy Townsend - Worked with Terry Venables for years at ITV.




Townsend choosing wouldn't surprise me, good servant and all that, but a dependable voice? By god can he run with the hare & hunt with the hound.

"I'll never work for the FAI! I'LL DIE FIRST, I tell you!"
"Andy, would you like some big piles of money to sit on an FAI selection committee?"
"Oooh, yes please. Can I have it in used £50's?"

I cant imagine Don Givens ever being enthusiastic about anyone

"Mr Givens, What do you have to say about the fireman who, despite being temporarily blinded and overcome by smoke, managed to rescue 50 children from that burning orphanage?"
"Did ok."

And Don Howe? Buggered if I know why the Fai saw fit to choose him as one of Europe's supreme kingmakers with an innate knowledge of Irish football... Perhaps he won a raffle or something. The whole set up, if accurate, is all very 'Father Ted'.

[Stuttgart88]

Yesterday's Irish Times' sub-headline was funny, something like "The FAI expects to finalise the appointment of the 3 man selection committee in time to learn that Delaney will appoint Venables". Well, it'd be funny if it wasn't seemingly true.

I really worry about the objectivity and current knowledge of the names suggested.

[geysir]

In theory, the selection committee has a good blend.
Townsend was an excellent captain for us, a thorough professional on the pitch. It's not a bad idea to have an ex player there.
Just as long as they apply objectivity to Venables.

[OwlsFan]

In theory, the selection committee has a good blend.
Townsend was an excellent captain for us, a thorough professional on the pitch. It's not a bad idea to have an ex player there.
Just as long as they apply objectivity to Venables.

Two ex-players.

As I said before (sounding like Giles now), just because you worked with someone, it doesn't mean you'd recommend them for the same job elsewhere. Quite the contrary perhaps in some instances. It doesn't worry me that they know Venables. In fact it could work the other way UNLESS they are friends.

[Ozymandias]

Yesterday's Irish Times' sub-headline was funny, something like "The FAI expects to finalise the appointment of the 3 man selection committee in time to learn that Delaney will appoint Venables". Well, it'd be funny if it wasn't seemingly true.

I really worry about the objectivity and current knowledge of the names suggested.

The times are on the ball.....Apparently Delaney got his knuckles rapped last night..however he is cute and sharp...he has still got the guys who will ratify his choice

[Noelys Guitar]

Townsend has stated that he is not interested in joining the 3 man committee. Just been on Todayfm sportsnews.

[soccerc]

Townsend has stated that he is not interested in joining the 3 man committee. Just been on Todayfm sportsnews.

AFAIK, he will reveal considerably more on Setanta this evening.