I saw Jamie Redknapp on a panel the other day & couldn't help thinking what a decent job the English have done when it comes to succession planning.
Succession Planning as you know is, in short, a management term for the dicipline of taking steps to replace oneself. Jamis Redknapp is one example.
Better Frank Lampard is a superb example of succession planning where young talent has been nutured and Snr has ensured he was not missed by his country for too long.
The English also have Wright Phillips, and not just one but two!! How's that for making great use of the talent genes - especially as at least one of them is adopted. I read that young Sturridge is deemed among the hottest talents in England. Even Clemence got in on the act. The Nevilles had famous sporting parents too.
So my question is: where have the Irish talent genes from our great footballers gone?
OK we have had a couple recently. I read that the dad's of Bruce and Dixon both played. However, again neither were Irish. We had to rely on English dads for them both.
What is doubly disappointing is the failure of the FAI to learn from one of Irelands greatest successes - the stud farm! All that expertise on their own doorstep, and seemingly ignored.
Anyway do we have any talent with great genes coming through? I do know of young Houghton at Tottenham. I also think young Aldridge flirted with Tranmere a few years back. Are there any others? Not since the days of Whelan and Alan Kelly can I recall a significant impact being made along these lines.
Perhaps we can encourage our greats to try a bit harder in this area & take their responsibility as seriously as the English so clearly do.
Mind you I heard that Henry's (Thierry not Nick) wife is Irish & Partridge is going out with Michael Owens sister. Could make for an interesting Irish front line on 20 odd years time!
Any others out there?