New Management Team for Under 21 Set Up

**Charlie Darwin** · 20/07/2010, 1:17 AM

As far as people being interested, I read that a good 8-10 people had been interviewed, including young lads like Gary Breen and Kenny Cunningham who'd done their badges. I'm just wondering if the Stan experience has led the FAI to swear off younger managers and go for more experienced (though not necessarily better) heads like Trap and Noel King.

**Park_Lane** · 20/07/2010, 2:52 PM

Jobs for the boys.

**backstothewall** · 20/07/2010, 6:08 PM

Have to say I don't really follow LOI/IL football (I know, I know, local club and all that, but in my defence I would but for the fact my team was kicked out of existence) so I don't know much about his record.

What I do know is that the 34 time capped former Ireland international who was at the head of the youth system that brought through Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Steven Gerrard, Rob Jones and Jamie Carragher, who has also won 3 FA youth cups, is out of work, and might fancy a part time number at 62 years old.

Steve Heighway for those in any doubt

**Dodge** · 20/07/2010, 6:58 PM

So you know that he might fancy a bit of work then?

**passinginterest** · 20/07/2010, 10:04 PM

I did see it reported that it was down to a straight choice between Heighway and King, although I think it was the Metro or somewhere like that so probably not the most reliable of sources.

King has done some good work with the ladies teams, ladies football in the country has some on miles in the last few years. I'm not sure if that's really relevant to the under 21 men's job though, if Heighway was interested he would have been a more exciting appointment at least.

Pretty sure I saw King at the Rovers Bnei match the other night in full Rovers gear so he should at least be taking a close look at domestic players anyway.

**Jicked** · 20/07/2010, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Well done Jicked, you win the prize.

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...r-21&Itemid=11

Am I good or am I good.

Don't know what to say about the appointment, its just very embarassing. Imagine being an 18/19 year old Irish player and seeing that Delaney-yes man clown being appointed as gaffer. It's not like King would have been any cheaper than other options, it's simply that he's guaranteed to offer less dissent to the FAI/Delaney. Why do we bother?

I also love the way they couldn't even be arsed (roughly) trying to centre the numbers on the back of the shirt. Sure it's not like the FAI to do things in a half arsed, embarassing, amateur way

**Crosby87** · 21/07/2010, 12:15 AM

I respect you Jicked but sometimes I think your anger is misdirected or a little like....in need of a vacation.

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/07/2010, 12:20 AM

The name and numbers probably aren't misaligned.

**Jicked** · 21/07/2010, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

I respect you Jicked but sometimes I think your anger is misdirected or a little like....in need of a vacation.

I've been reasonably serene since Paris, focusing my bitterness on my club rather than the FAI. But when you see as familiarly uninspiring appointment as this, what else can you say? I've never let my miserableness get in the way of my opinion or support of the players and am still sure they'll make it to Euro 2012, thats about all I can promise as far as my anger goes!

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

The name and numbers probably aren't misaligned.

I was only messing about the numbers thing being of any relevance whatsover, but it still looks like the dodgiest 21 I've ever seen.

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/07/2010, 12:46 AM

It's probably the glare off Noelie's face.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 21/07/2010, 1:52 PM

Yeah Steve Heighway or Liam Brady would've been better but I'm reasonably happy for Noel King to get a crack at it. Best of luck to him.

**Stuttgart88** · 24/07/2010, 10:09 PM

The Irish Daily Mail is saying that the role is different to Givens' - coach vs. manager. The implication is that Koevermans is making a power grab and that King's responsibilities are only on the pitch & training ground.

**geysir** · 25/07/2010, 10:35 AM

The implication being that Koevermans approved King's appointment?
I see Wim will be in charge of the u21s for 2 or 3 games while King takes the young ladies to the WC finals.

I haven't got a clue about King. I assume that he has got the job on merit, ahead of the other candidates.

**Stuttgart88** · 26/07/2010, 12:42 PM

I think Givens had quite a wide remit as manager of the U21s including an overall input into the direction & strategy. He was always banging on about his taks being to prepare players for the senior team, nothing else. My guess is that what the mail was referring to was that Loevermans is seemingly taking charge of overall underage team strategy with each team being assigned a coach whose job it is to pick the squads and prepare them for match day. I'm not sure who Givens was accountable to - presumably an international committee within the FAI. I expect that King will be accountable to Koevermans if what the Mail says is right. It'd seem like a step in the right direction as I always got the impression that Givens wasn't placed under enough scrutiny for performance / results and it also makes sense for the guy who oversees youth development as being ultimately responsible for the youth teams.

Not sure it makes any difference really!

**geysir** · 27/07/2010, 8:42 PM

Perhaps (at least) a faster turnover of appointed coaches.

**Predator** · 11/11/2010, 5:30 PM

King has named an entire squad of home-based players for the next U21 game:

Ger Hanley Mervue United FC
Kevin Burns Waterford United FC
Enda Stevens Shamrock Rovers FC
Andy Boyle UCD AFC
Shane McEleney Derry City FC
Roberto Lopez Bohemian FC
Ciaran Nagle UCD AFC
Lee Dixon Bohemian FC
Paul Corry UCD AFC
Graham Kelly Bray Wanderers FC
James O'Brien St. Patricks Athletic FC
Jake Kelly Bray Wanderers FC
Keith Ward UCD AFC
Daniel Kearns Dundalk FC
Gary Burke Bohemian FC
Aaron Greene Bohemian FC
Chris Shields Bray Wanderers FC
Paddy Madden Bohemian FC

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...r-21&Itemid=11

**Charlie Darwin** · 11/11/2010, 5:36 PM

I didn't know Roberto Lopez was Irish. Looks like a decent little squad, although the "I would love to see one, two, or any number of home based players do the business and force their way into the squad" sounds like his expectations are pretty low.

**Predator** · 11/11/2010, 5:50 PM

Yeah, it sounds like it all right, but who knows, there may be some surprises. I'll expect Kearns and Madden to stake a strong claim. Hopefully McEleney will impress too, although competition for defence is going to get stiffer, with a few of the U19s looking ready to make the step up.