Originally Posted by
backstothewall
Of the people mentioned on my original post the only ones I would consider seriously are Hughton, Carsley, Poyet and Steven Reid. Poyet throwing his hat into the ring is interesting, although I’m not at all convinced, he isn’t attempting to wangle a pay rise out of the Greek FA
I would have no issue if we were to cast the net wider than usual, but I don’t like the idea of an English manager tbh. Anti-English sentiment has always been there in Ireland, but I think it has changed in a way that makes it harder to appoint a manager from there than might previously have been the case. Over the last few decades I think the Irish public have come to look upon the English as being a bit unsophisticated compared to ourselves, particularly since Brexit. In the context of this conversation that’s more than ironic given that the change in our national self-esteem arguably began with an English football manager taking over our national team, but there you have it.
Say what you like about Jack Charlton’s football, but as a man he was a great fit for us. He had an old-fashioned charm about him, and when he had a fishing rod or a pint of Guinness in his hand it was never a prop. With the budget we have to offer, the English managers who might be interested would probably be names like Chris Wilder, Dean Smith or Nigel Pearson. It’s hard to imagine one of those guys standing in the middle of the Boyne wearing waders.
If it was to be an Englishman, I think it would have to be someone who had gone to the continent and worked there for a while, but the only example that jumps to mind is Graham Potter who I imagine we simply can’t afford.
If it isn’t to be an Irish manager I think the players, media and general public would all react better to someone with that bit of mystery about them that comes with being from somewhere we’re less familiar with.
I like the suggestion of Vladimir Petkovi?. He has the sort of CV that shows real promise. Jorge Sampaoli is another name I would throw into the mix if he would consider it. I reckon the Irish public could get right behind that high intensity Bielsa style football he plays.
Thinking about the characteristics of what would make up the ideal candidate to come out of left field, I came up with a few ideas.
I'm not in favour of a young up and comer. The trouble with that sort of appointment is that we'll be an obvious stepping stone to the Premier League. If they do well they'll likely be off after one campaign and we're back to square one. I'd prefer someone in their late 50s or 60's who is maybe at a stage of life where they want to be working but would perhaps find the less intense regime of international football to their liking.
Ideally, they would also speak English to a decent standard. We've seen in the past that communication is a key part of the role. Trapattoni and Stephen Kenny both suffered totally unnecessary difficulties because of their struggles with the English language.
A good knowledge of the Championship in England would be beneficial. It’s probably the division most of our players emerge in, and clearly we need a few new faces.
And clearly the FAI are in no position to pay any compensation to anyone.
So I’m looking for someone who is over 55 and out of work, who isn’t English but speaks the language, has managed in the championship as well as in Europe. There are a bunch of former Watford and Fulham and managers who tick a lot of those boxes, and those clubs go through so many managers that it doesn’t really hurt their reputation when they inevitably get sacked. Quique Sánchez Flores, Slaviša Jokanovi? and Slaven Bili? would all be worth considering.
One last name I want to mention is David Wagner who I rate highly. And he’s working with a few of our players already which can’t hurt.
All that being said, I think Chris Hughton would be my #1 choice.
