I think, apart from anything else the ground swell of public opinion against Venables is overwhelming and even the FAI won't risk another backlash.
Brady/O'Leary, neither is ideal nor top drawer managers. The only thing they have going is they are experienced ex Irish intenationals but with no international manangement experience.
Houllier, more likely to have a greater impact in role of Director of Football or some strategic role rather than hands-on, bit can't see him leaving French job for a similar role in Ireland.
Hodgson is a dark horse but his reported role as one of England's kingmakers makes you wonder if he has other interests lined up.
I would love to see McCarthy back but it is not going to happen. Wouldn't mind Souness with someone like Hughton, but too controversial.
As for all these other has beens or wannabees, waste of time.
Time to try something different, lets go continental.
04/12/2007, 10:14 PM
shaneker
I can see O'Leary getting the job. He's been quiet lately (unlike El Tel and, Lord have mercy, Howard Kendall) and it will give Delaney the opportunity to gather a press conference and say 'We have a manager with Premier League experience, who has managed a team in the Champions League semi-finals, and who is Irish. A world class management team!'
Even Delaney must know the extent of public feeling against Venables, he's not smart enough to get Hodgson, Houllier is out of the question now, Kendall is a non-starter (please God)...from his point of view, the options are running out. If Delaney gets O'Leary in, and he fails, he can say to the press 'I got a manager with top class experience and he let us down' whereas if he succeeds he can claim the credit for the appointment. Maybe the die-hard fans, like on here, will disagree, but the public will buy it, and that makes it win-win for Delaney. And as we all know, that is all that matters.
04/12/2007, 11:09 PM
backstothewall
I fear we are in the same position Aston Villa were when they appointed him. An unpopular board with few options appointing a desperate O'Leary with few options.
05/12/2007, 7:59 AM
CollegeTillIDie
Some people have mentioned Allardyce. Sam hasn't a hope , because ex LOI managers don't figure on the FAI radar since they sacked Kerr. SO that's Lawrie Sanchez, Willie McStay, Stephen Kenny and Steve Cotterill out of the race so it is . :D
05/12/2007, 8:13 AM
eekers
i really can see coppell getting it.
he's definately as interested. he cant say much publicly without getting himself into trouble with reading. but he's making the right noises so to speak