Trapattoni - who would you replace him with?

[geysir]

Could have been a compromise situation, Mick wanted a release clause, club says yes, but not in the middle of our season.

[Irwin3]

Generally, no. Duff's gave his all for Ireland. Steven Reid's history of injury makes his retirement understandable. You talking about Andy O'Brien? Not really all that exercised about it to be honest. He certainly didn't decline to come back repeatedly, unlike Gibson.

Joey O'Brien.

Really doesn't seem like you do. Feel free to specifically point out where I've engaged in whataboutery in regards to Gibson.

Your first post and subsequent accusation of whataboutery, is whataboutery, no?

I know you've totally misunderstood me, yes.

No. I'll add some paranthesis to my comment to help you.

"On one hand you're saying that (support/media) said Gibson was poor for Ireland and that he should be thankful to Trap for picking him. And on the other you're saying that these poor performances helped him get a good move. Doesn't quite add up."

Thanks for actually answering the question. That's your assertion, I don't think it's on the money. As I've said international recognition mattered with Gibson because he barely made a dent in the Utd first team (cue 'CL semi-final' etc etc) and was way down the pecking order when shipped out.

Ferguson was grooming Moyes for years and appointed him as successor. He sells Moyes a player a year beforehand. Gibson's international appearances and battling Green for a place on the bench are of little relevance, and are indeed a possible hindrance to any move. Hypothetical conversation (to be honest I doubt if his international credentials would even be mentioned):

DM: Gibson any good.
AF: Yes, good passing range, can score a goal.
DM: How come he can't get in the Ireland team ahead of Whelan and journeymen like Andrews and Green?
AF: Er...

[DannyInvincible]

Whilst McDermott would clearly love to manage Ireland, he says that “the Ireland job is in the future”.

So, we're just a back-up option for Brian then?...

In seriousness, isn't he being a bit presumptious there?

Going on Ashley Cole's own tale of nearly crashing his car upon hearing that Arsenal were "taking the **** out of him" by offering him 5k less a week than he wanted, I'd be interested to see his reaction if he spent a tournament watching patently inferior left-backs play for his country while spending the entire time as an un-used substitute.

But Cole did actually crash his car. Actually, no, wait, that was Jermaine Pennant...

I'm prepared to cut Gibson some slack. He seems like a winner. I'd rather him than some useless plodder who got ideas above his station and would lick Trap's hole at any opportunity just because he was getting his game. Like Glenn Whelan.

Darron certainly isn't immune from those notions of grandeur himself. Anyway, I think you're unfair on Whelan. What's he said to suggest he has lofty self-impressions?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Any youngish manager worth their salt is going to hang on in club management.

More interesting and more lucrative!

[Spudulika]

What Liam Brady said seems to be more and more insightful. It could all be a ruse with JD and the boys already signed up with MON.

[DannyInvincible]

What Liam Brady said seems to be more and more insightful.

What did Brady say?

[Charlie Darwin]

What did Brady say?

Said he wouldn't want the job cos our players is crap

http://www.independent.ie/sport/liam...-29571578.html

[Stuttgart88]

He said a few things over the years after Trap compared him to Gattuso at the beginning of his reign.

I really don't like Glenn Whelan, so don't mind me.

As for Gibson....

in fairness to Whelan he was actually very critical of Trap and said he'd prefer an extra man in midfield. I think he's past his best for us and would be remembered more fondly if Tap hadn't flogged him to near death.

[BonnieShels]

Right I've thought and thought about...

Bielsa.

End of.

[Stuttgart88]

I simply don't agree with anyone who says we haven't got the players to compete against second and third seeded teams. This is the biggest fallacy shooting the rounds at the moment.

[SwanVsDalton]

Joey O'Brien.

Open to correction, but don't think he's ever retired at any level. Maybe he made himself unavailable for period? But as I understand it O'Brien has about 5 per cent of his original knee cap left. What a mercenary.

Your first post and subsequent accusation of whataboutery, is whataboutery, no?

No. I accused you of whataboutery after you brought in 'early retirements' and players pulling out through injury in a conversation about Gibson. That's whataboutery, me calling you on it is not. Be specific or leave it alone.

No. I'll add some paranthesis to my comment to help you.

"On one hand you're saying that (support/media) said Gibson was poor for Ireland and that he should be thankful to Trap for picking him. And on the other you're saying that these poor performances helped him get a good move. Doesn't quite add up."

That's still not what I said.

For the final time. Separately - Gibson was chosen by Trap at a time when the guy clearly didn't have to pick him. He doesn't have to be slavishly thankful, it's just worth bearing in mind when the two subsequently have a mad falling out.

To whit: witness the players on Twitter yesterday thanking Trapattoni for giving them their chance. This isn't a complex point.

Subsequently those performances - good, bad, indifferent, fantastic, bogging - helped get him a move because when he was barely in a Utd squad, he was always in an Ireland squad. Disagree all you want but...

Ferguson was grooming Moyes for years and appointed him as successor. He sells Moyes a player a year beforehand. Gibson's international appearances and battling Green for a place on the bench are of little relevance, and are indeed a possible hindrance to any move. Hypothetical conversation (to be honest I doubt if his international credentials would even be mentioned):

DM: Gibson any good.
AF: Yes, good passing range, can score a goal.
DM: How come he can't get in the Ireland team ahead of Whelan and journeymen like Andrews and Green?
AF: Er...

...but I wish you'd do it with something more substantial than a bit of playwriting and 'sure Moyes and Fergie are BFFs!' None of that makes Gibson's international career as irrelevant as you're making out.

Look Darron, just tell us what happened in Poland and we'll call it quits, ok?

[SwanVsDalton]

I simply don't agree with anyone who says we haven't got the players to compete against second and third seeded teams. This is the biggest fallacy shooting the rounds at the moment.

Big time. European international football is as congested as it has ever been. Beneath a handful of top class teams - Spain, Germany, Holland, maybe Italy - everyone else, bar the minnows, should be looking to win every game. Sure there's only a hair's breadth between all of them.

Now with qualification for the Euros more open for ever, the idea we can't compete is laughable. Every game - bar a few - will be a lottery, but that was no different when we went to Poland. Barring a nightmare draw, France 2016 is there for the taking.

Right I've thought and thought about...

Bielsa.

End of.

From two centre mids, to five. I like it.

[shakermaker1982]

Ignoring the front runners.....

What about Glenn Hoddle? A bit of a wildcard and he has had his ups and downs but maybe worth an interview?

Sean O'Driscoll? Did a good job at Forest & liked to see the ball in the floor.

Curbishley? He must be bored out and itching for a shot at management again.

Are they sexy enough for the FAI? Will they get bums on seats early on. I really would be surprised if we went exotic. MO'N odds are 1/2 now so maybe he will get the nod. If it his him I hope John Robertson is part of the package. Martin did seem to struggle without him at Sunderland.

[Irwin3]

- Joey O'Brien withdrew from the current squad so that he could play for his club and manage his treatment regime. Some question putting club over country. I'm well aware of his injury record thanks, it's you who appears to need to get a bit more clued up.

- Your whataboutery is your claiming that I whataboutered when my post was but a reflection of your post from the opposite side.

- I give up. It's clear as day what you said and how I responded.

- The facts are that they are great pals and one has been grooming the other for the past 4+ years to succeed him. I feel Gibson's international successes or failures had an insignificant impact on him moving to Everton.

I'm not Darron nor have I even met him. Compare his twitter post if you don't believe me. You are at least clued up on them.

[Charlie Darwin]

- Joey O'Brien withdrew from the current squad so that he could play for his club and manage his treatment regime. Some question putting club over country. I'm well aware of his injury record thanks, it's you who appears to need to get a bit more clued up.

I don't understand why this misconception is still going. Trap had a provisional squad of 29, from which he had to cut 6. He chose to leave out O'Brien because he's managing an injury and because he probably wouldn't have made the final squad anyway. Nobody ever said he was injured, they said he was managing his injury.

[tricky_colour]

down to 59th in world rankings

Iceland, wales , cape verde islands , and uzbekistan are all ahead of us
http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/ran...ble/index.html

That is our lowest ranking since 1993 which is as far back as the Fifa ranking seems to go.
We were ranked 6th in in 1993!!!
We have had one hell of a fall form grace.

Two ways for a potential manager to look at it, 1) The only way is up. 2) It's a poisoned chalice.

I think they should take the first option, ie we are currently worst than the sum of our parts and there is much room for a new manager to come in and make a name for himself moving us back up the rankings.

[Olé Olé]

I'm warming to the prospect of MON. While I know he is rigid in his tactics and personnel selection, he tends to pick the 11 best players at his disposal (even if that means playing a CM at RB i.e. Craig Gardner). Furthermore, he's gotten the best out of McGeady and McClean in the past and there exists a strong possibilty he will entrust Wes Hoolahan with a starting role as part of a 4-4-1-1.

He's also diplomatic and a good motivator and I could envisage those traits being applied to great effect in the current environment of the Irish squad.

Given the restricted playing pool we have, it could be construed that Darron Gibson and Anthony Stokes are willing to give their international careers a crack again. It's worth remembering that Stokes is still only 24 and has a big season ahead of him for Celtic. He could prove a strong alternative to our current options, or he could disappear into the wilderness.

Given the step forward made by the IFA in employing Michael O'Neill, the FAI hiring Martin O'Neill could really negate a lot of the results of that appointment. I think the appointment of MON would have a strong impact on the current NI/ROI and IFA/FAI situation.

[tricky_colour]

I don't understand why he'd have an international job release clause that expires in the middle of an international campaign.

To make sure he didn't have to turn the job down?

[Irwin3]

- Joey O'Brien withdrew from the current squad so that he could play for his club and manage his treatment regime. Some question putting club over country. I'm well aware of his injury record thanks, it's you who appears to need to get a bit more clued up.

I don't understand why this misconception is still going. Trap had a provisional squad of 29, from which he had to cut 6. He chose to leave out O'Brien because he's managing an injury and because he probably wouldn't have made the final squad anyway. Nobody ever said he was injured, they said he was managing his injury.

The only one who appears to be confused is you. You've basically repeated what I said.

[Charlie Darwin]

The only one who appears to be confused is you. You've basically repeated what I said.

No. He didn't withdraw, he was told he could leave because he wasn't needed. He didn't put club over country - his manager asked for him to be returned and it was granted.