Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane

[paul_oshea]

Not sure it's had the desired effect. I think most people are like "Ah, y'serious? " rather than "Ah, brilliant! "

He means those in and around the squad. You take everything literally Danny

But that's how i saw it too it's another delaney masterstroke, oh sure it shows how much faith we have in him and sure wont that get us over the line.

[shakermaker1982]

Yep POS is right I meant the squad itself.

We obviously aren't privy to the squad dynamic but I get the impression the players like and respect MON and RK. A lot of interviews speak very highly of them both. The players probably would prefer to see another 2 years with them at the helm and that will unquestionably have had an impact on the offer of a contract.

The other aspect is that they both have that x factor about them and can put bums on seats and generate interest in the build up to games. The apathy towards England over here at the moment is astounding. Nobody really gives a monkeys about the games. Souhgate is so beige it's rubbing off on their players and reflected in their performances and the crowd itself. If we went went for a less profile name I bet the FAI fear a similar sort of disillusionment on our side of the water. Results should be the most important thing but the FAI need to make some dough.

[seanfhear]

O ‘ Neill and Keane are under pressure to produce results in these two games .

If they don’t produce good results or at the very least good performances then they will be under pressure to do the ‘ right thing '

Lets say we perform badly I wouldn’t be surprised if O’Neill and Keane knew what the right thing is .

[OwlsFan]

Timing is weird.

If we put in 2 dog **** performances then the FAI will look like a bunch of clowns.

Maybe they are hoping it will give everybody a lift? If we win both games then they'll look like an organisation that knows what it's doing. I've been happy with MO'N but last few performances have been very sterile. If that trend continues then I'd have my reservations. He needs to get a balance between the high intensity style of play we often revert to and an attempt to play football (Wes, Brady & Hendrick on the ball)

Timing is ideal to be honest IF the FAI Board decided that they wanted to keep MON irrespective of the results. If they left it until after the two games and we qualify (after play off), his standing goes up, as does his salary demands and his attraction to other Associations/clubs. If we don't qualify, so be it as they wanted MON to carry on. Whether people think he is the man to carry on is another issue. The Board thinks he is and therefore the timing is correct.

[Straightstory]

Terrible decision. Not at all surprised the FAI have done this. At least two more years of miserable and abysmal football ahead. This is the first Euro/World Cup campaign since 1974 where I haven't attended any of the games - so disappointed and disillusioned by O'Neill and Keane.

[Diggs246]

I don't really get why everyone is up in arms, I would rather O'Neill then someone who hasn't the slightest idea about our players going into Euro 2020
Also he has credit in the bank guys
Qualified for 2016, win against Germany world champions, win against Italy in the Euros, win away against Austria, win against Bosnia
I know it hasn't all been good and in fact some of it has been poor, but that's not bad. also we are not out of the world cup yet

[Lionel Ritchie]

I don't believe in change for the sake of change so in the absence of a compelling replacement I'm reasonably happy for him to continue. Though I've stated my unhappiness before with the whole culture around the marquee manager that Delaney has now brought into this.

"some of it has been poor" is an understatement mind. Unless we experience an improbable and utterly unpredictable change in form over the imminent 180 minutes of competetive football then 2017 -that is the entire year -has been an unqualified (no puns) collapse.

[osarusan]

With 2 games to go and qualification still up in the balance (to put it optimistically), it's hard to imagine that the management team have met any targets or benchmarks that applied, unless those benchmarks were extremely generous.

[DannyInvincible]

'FAI may have been too quick to hand Martin O’Neill new contract': https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...-new-contract/

If he manages a top-two finish — irrespective of whether it is enough to reach a play-off — there is a strong case for him to be kept on but, right now, it’s too premature to make an assessment of the campaign. If the FAI felt they had to warn off suitors, its stance might make more sense but there is nothing to suggest that.

Rewind 12 years and they refused to extend Brian Kerr’s stay until Ireland’s fate was known. When his side fell short, didn’t keep him on. Trapattoni was given new deals when something tangible was achieved, a play-off spot in 2009 and qualification in 2011. So why the change in tack?

I think O'Riordan makes good points.

[Diggs246]

'FAI may have been too quick to hand Martin O’Neill new contract': https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...-new-contract/



I think O'Riordan make good points.

I don't agree RE Trap, Trap had brilliant players of this ilk, who were in their prime: Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Duff, Robbie Keane, John O Shea, Coleman ( didn't use him enough) Wes ( didn't use him enough)James McCarthy ( didn't use him enough) McCLean ( didn't use him enough) Steve Finnan ( didn't use him enough) Stephen Reis ( didn't use him enough) and Andy Reid ( didn't use him)

O' Neill doesn't have that talent to play around with

[tetsujin1979]

I don't agree RE Trap, Trap had brilliant players of this ilk, who were in their prime: Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Duff, Robbie Keane, John O Shea, Coleman ( didn't use him enough) Wes ( didn't use him enough)James McCarthy ( didn't use him enough) McCLean ( didn't use him enough) Steve Finnan ( didn't use him enough) Stephen Reis ( didn't use him enough) and Andy Reid ( didn't use him)

O' Neill doesn't have that talent to play around with

Didn't Finnan retire at the beginning of Trap's reign?

[Diggs246]

Didn't Finnan retire at the beginning of Trap's reign?

No he was another one trap fell out with

[MeathDrog]

Timing is ideal to be honest IF the FAI Board decided that they wanted to keep MON irrespective of the results. If they left it until after the two games and we qualify (after play off), his standing goes up, as does his salary demands and his attraction to other Associations/clubs. If we don't qualify, so be it as they wanted MON to carry on. Whether people think he is the man to carry on is another issue. The Board thinks he is and therefore the timing is correct.

I don't think there's anyone who would be interested in Mon even if we do qualify tbh, certainly not from top tier clubs/associations.

[MeathDrog]

No he was another one trap fell out with

Finnan and Reid were old/crocked by the time Trap came around.

[tetsujin1979]

No he was another one trap fell out with

Trapattoni was the one who convinced him to return: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...team.liverpool