Originally Posted by
Cymro
I just have to jump in on this, even as an outsider. You can't seriously compare Michael O'Neill and Stephen Kenny to Steve Staunton. Michael O'Neill and Kenny have achieved outstanding feats in European competition with Irish teams, to the point where people outside Ireland, like myself, have sat up and taken notice, because the results have been so remarkable and unexpected. They also both have significant management experience (mostly successful) in other roles. Steve Staunton on the other hand had no previous management experience and, with the greatest of respect to him as a man and player, probably wasn't the right personality for management.
The reason I mentioned Michael O'Neill initially (I'm glad my recommendation is proving so popular, if the FAI would be so kind as to forward my 20% commission to an undisclosed address in the Cayman islands which will be discussed at an informal lunch, I - oh wait, not supposed to mention that, right)
Anyway, as I was saying, the reason I mentioned O'Neill for the Republic job in future was in part because of his record with Northern Ireland but also partly the achievements with Shamrock Rovers. It seems logical that if a manager has punched above his team's weight consistently in the past then they should be able to make the step up to a higher level.
Personally, I would also give Kenny a chance. He has enough experience of European club football to make a decent fist of an international job.