So what do you want to happen next?

So Trapp is gone, time to move on.

What is your realistic hope for what happens next regardless of who the new manager is?

Mine are fairly simple:

1. Bring any and all players who want to play for Ireland in from the cold (Gibson etc.).

2. A manager who attends matches in the UK, Scotland and indeed Ireland.

3. Someone who has a system but doesn't rigidly adhere to it. That is, a manager who can actually change as the game is in progress and isn't afraid to make substitutions.

4. A manager who has access too and perhaps even some control over our under-21 team.

6. Direct involvement in the creation or oversight of some sort of academy of excellence for Irish football.

Time for some positivity.

5. And in dream land, someone other than Delaney in charge at the FAI.

Would agree with pretty much all of that.

I think we need to set the ball rolling about youth coaching in this country and whether it is Chrissie Hughton or Mick or a German or Dutch man etc, I'd like to think that they would have enough clout and expertise to be able to get the ball rolling. I would love if Chippy could be involved in this process also (ideally as the head of development).

We have a decdent head of development, no? Ruud Dokter. Isn't that his role?

Would you consider him a success in that role? Genuine question as I don't know.

My main hope is that the FAI have already spoken to likely candidates to sound out interest, and that they have the vacancy filled before the next game.

What I don't want is them to appoint some Portuguese total football merchant, who is going to try to turn Marc Wilson & Glenn Whelan into Roberto Carlos and Pirlo. Any success we have had down through the years has been achieved with a tight defence, high tempo football, and making the most of set pieces.

For reasons of his availability, approach to the game, and excellent reputation for making the most of limited players, Martin O'Neill would be my preferred choice.

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Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Would you consider him a success in that role? Genuine question as I don't know.

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He only started a month or two ago!

People have just managed to stop smirking when they see or hear his name.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

He only started a month or two ago!

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There you go then. Was wondering why I hadn't heard much of him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

We have a decdent head of development, no? Ruud Dokter. Isn't that his role?

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Totally forgot about him. He seems to have been very highly thought of in Holland.

I think it's a bit of a theme, faux intellectual soccer types coming on here banging on about the need for change at all levels etc. I think a bit of balance is required. Certain factions in Irish football do appear to be "enlightened" and know whats needed. Maybe not enough, but more than people here think. Believe it or not, even some parts of the FAI work well.

People forgetting that a Dutch expert has been hired isn't a big deal, but it is symptomatic of the "There's nothing good or modern about Irish football" mood that is prevailing. I think some balance is required, and questions need to be asked as to why entrenched interests hold so much clout in our football hierarchy.

Also, if people care so much - everyone seems to be quick to criticise the FAI and the grassroots culture - why don't more people step up to the plate and aim for high coaching qualifications? I met a senior FAI bod last year and he said they ran a coach education course in Clonshaugh last year. It was publicised nationally via all appropriate channels such as clubs and leagues.

I invite guesses as to how many coaches from around the country turned up. I know the answer.

On the flip side, I met an Irishman in Stockholm in March who gave up trying to get his UEFA badges in Ireland, it was too disorganised.

But please let me know your guess.

Something that is often talked about is taking a diff approach at under age levels and focusing more on skill and tactics than on winning at all costs.

I don't know how all that works in other countries, but it must be worth looking at very closely.

I think the "everything is wrong with Irish football" unfortunately comes from some people at the very top of the game here. Brady wrecked my head last night being so disrespectful towards the players.

We *do* produce excellent players, we always have.. so it must be something else that is wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Also, if people care so much - everyone seems to be quick to criticise the FAI and the grassroots culture - why don't more people step up to the plate and aim for high coaching qualifications? I met a senior FAI bod last year and he said they ran a coach education course in Clonshaugh last year. It was publicised nationally via all appropriate channels such as clubs and leagues.

I invite guesses as to how many coaches from around the country turned up. I know the answer.

On the flip side, I met an Irishman in Stockholm in March who gave up trying to get his UEFA badges in Ireland, it was too disorganised.

But please let me know your guess.

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Not everyone is cut out to be a top level coach. I know I'm not, as much as I would love a career in the game.

Economics could be another reason. There's so much more money in the game in places like the Netherlands and Spain, it's a viable career option. In Ireland, not so much.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I think it's a bit of a theme, faux intellectual soccer types coming on here banging on about the need for change at all levels etc. I think a bit of balance is required. Certain factions in Irish football do appear to be "enlightened" and know whats needed. Maybe not enough, but more than people here think. Believe it or not, even some parts of the FAI work well.

People forgetting that a Dutch expert has been hired isn't a big deal, but it is symptomatic of the "There's nothing good or modern about Irish football" mood that is prevailing. I think some balance is required, and questions need to be asked as to why entrenched interests hold so much clout in our football hierarchy.

Also, if people care so much - everyone seems to be quick to criticise the FAI and the grassroots culture - why don't more people step up to the plate and aim for high coaching qualifications? I met a senior FAI bod last year and he said they ran a coach education course in Clonshaugh last year. It was publicised nationally via all appropriate channels such as clubs and leagues.

I invite guesses as to how many coaches from around the country turned up. I know the answer.

On the flip side, I met an Irishman in Stockholm in March who gave up trying to get his UEFA badges in Ireland, it was too disorganised.

But please let me know your guess.

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Alot of fair points there. I will credit the FAI with getting a Dutchman like Dokter to replace their previous head of development. It makes sense, if we are seemingly looking at the Dutch model.

You are right about alot of barstoolers out there. Some of my friends who are involved in coaching used to give out to their kids for trying "Hollywood passes" or tricks and flicks in games, yet they would be the very ones moaning about the technical limitations of our players compared to the continentals or South Americans. They mocked a team that I managed when they were 8 because I was trying to teach them technical skills and they were losing alot of games in their first season. Funny enough, when they were 10/11, they were some of the best players in the league and won the league three times in a row. All the kids enjoyed themselves which should be part and parcel of youth football.

There are many others who sit in pubs and bemoan football in this country, but couldn't be arsed getting involved and giving something back. I do think football lacks what the GAA has in that regard. Some of it is the fault of the FAI or leagues like the DDSL, but alot of it certainly isn't.

Stutts,

I was listening to a talk in about grassroots coaching etc.. on talksport or 5live recently and one coach (UK based) rang in. The very brief point he made was that there was a one day coaching course/update/briefing or whatever organised by the FA. The cost of the course was something in the region of £350. The club he was a part of had a number of teams but had to rely on local sponsorship, donations from parents etc... to pay for the kit. A team kit probably costs in the region of £350. There was no way he could go and spunk £350 of the clubs money on a day course with a few cups of tea and biccies thrown in.

There is a thread on YBIG, that I dip in an out of for a nosey every now and again and amongst the plenty of posts of crap there are some decent contributions from posters who have really struggled to get in to coaching or become frustrated with the inadeqiacies of the set up.

http://www.ybig.ie/forum/coaching-sc...80_page47.html


Now, I would guess at 10 people attended the course.

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Originally Posted by Bungle

You are right about alot of barstoolers out there. Some of my friends who are involved in coaching used to give out to their kids for trying "Hollywood passes" or tricks and flicks in games, yet they would be the very ones moaning about the technical limitations of our players compared to the continentals or South Americans. They mocked a team that I managed when they were 8 because I was trying to teach them technical skills and they were losing alot of games in their first season. Funny enough, when they were 10/11, they were some of the best players in the league and won the league three times in a row. All the kids enjoyed themselves which should be part and parcel of youth football.

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Whats this, a thinly veiled, Im throwing my hat in for the job?

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Originally Posted by Junior

Whats this, a thinly veiled, Im throwing my hat in for the job?

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I am interested, but I need to speak with Eamon Dunphy first, as I want him to be my assistant.

I'm on a run now so I may as well keep posting :)

Is there an overhaul needed in the game locally? Yes quite probably. There is a lot of good work done in the LOI, but it's not supported properly either financially or pr-wise by the FAI.

An overhaul of football on this island is not going to change anything in the short-term or medium term. It's not going to give the present Chief Executive or Board of Management any kudos. It will be 20 years at worst before changes filter down. That's why leaving Don Givens in his position of chief clown of the 21's was disgusting. Sure we'd not been uprooting any trees at 17/19's level, but we are orhave been constantly getting to the elite stage of qualifying, and going onto the finals themselves every so often.
What I'd like to see is that qualification for the the Championship finals becomes the norm for our Under 17 & 19.

Noel King had an immediate impact at Under 21 level. Sure they were tanked the other night by the Germans, but they are going through a golden age of youth football themselves thanks to the good work they've done in the past 15 years, which means they've becoming one of the slickest, and technically brilliant footballing countries rather than the stereotyped efficient brilliant countries they were seen as. The u21's have made definite progress, and they've built something of a niche for themselves by constantly being based in Sligo, and they've definitely ingrained themselves into the North-West/Midlands psyche and have built a decent support base.

As a country, and for our senior side, we need the under 21's to start qualifying for the European finals. To me it's a no-brainer. If the kids coming through are only used to being defeated by their peers from underage level up, then why would they suddenly expect that to change at senior level? Because they play football in England? Give me a break.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by texidub

Something that is often talked about is taking a diff approach at under age levels and focusing more on skill and tactics than on winning at all costs.

I don't know how all that works in other countries, but it must be worth looking at very closely.

I think the "everything is wrong with Irish football" unfortunately comes from some people at the very top of the game here. Brady wrecked my head last night being so disrespectful towards the players.

We *do* produce excellent players, we always have.. so it must be something else that is wrong.

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I've given up on Brady for years. He's too biased to give an honest opinon on Trap's teams. It was a disgrace to get him back on the panel.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Junior

Stutts,

I was listening to a talk in about grassroots coaching etc.. on talksport or 5live recently and one coach (UK based) rang in. The very brief point he made was that their was a one day coaching course/update/briefing or whatever organised by the FA. The cost of the course was something in the region of £350. The club he was a part of had a number of teams but had to rely on local sponsorship, donations from parents etc... to pay for the kit. A team kit probably costs in the region of £350. There was no way he could go and spunk £350 of the clubs money on a day course with a cups of few tea and biccies thrown.

There is a thread on YBIG, that I dip in an out of for a nosey every now and again and amongst the plenty of posts of crap there are some decent contributions from posters who have really struggled to get in to coaching or become frustrated with the inadeqiacies of the set up.

http://www.ybig.ie/forum/coaching-sc...80_page47.html


Now, I would guess at 10 people attended the course.

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You're the closest :)

The answer was 4.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

I've given up on Brady for years. He's too biased to give an honest opinon on Trap's teams. It was a disgrace to get him back on the panel.

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Brady admits bias in that regard, most can take that into perspective when listening to Liam. I think most people can appreciate that Brady is usually reticent when it comes to typical panel bluster criticism of any team/player.
His presence there for the Ireland games was alone justified in his interventions to bring the lunatic Dunphy to task.