Next Manager... you chose!

[fergalr]

What we need is an non-English manager with premiership experience. How's about a man who got his team into the CL twice and once to the CL semi-final, who is great with the press, and whose tactics and substitutions give you plenty to talk about in the pub afterwards. And who is currently available for employment?

Step forward Claudio Ranieri.

[pineapple stu]

And who the FAI couldn't possibly afford.

[Marked Man]

Aertel are a disgrace. Look at their match report from last night -

Originally Posted by Aertel
The Republic of Ireland's World Cup dream is over, and now just one question remains, that surrounding the fate of manager Brian Kerr.

A match Ireland had to win to clinch a play-off place ended in yet another stalemate, and while the inquest into what has gone before will be long, it is the future that will attract the greatest debate.

After 32 months in charge, the Football Association of Ireland now face a
critical decision in whether to hand Kerr an extension to his contract, or
say goodbye to a man who has served his country well over the years.
Comments like this should wait until after a decision is made one way or the other. This is just tabloid journalism at its worst.

Now I'm up for slagging off the media as much as the next man, but what exactly is wrong with this? It was a match Ireland had to win, there will be an inquest (or at least there should be), he did have 32 months in charge, and the choice is whether to extend his contract or not. What's the problem?

[Conor H]

Martin O Neill.

[Qwerty]

O'Neill is just a glorified long-ball merchant as far as I'm concerned

That is what we should be aspiring to! What I wouldn't give to see Quinn or Cas in their prime again. We are not Holland, the players we have at our disposal are not comfortable on the ball, take too many touches etc. We have to keep it simple and cut our cloth to our measure. Forget the "express yourself" bullsh1t.

[Adrianovic]

I dread to think what would happen if Kavanagh and Kilbane were told to 'express yourself' in the middle of the park.

I agree that we should just play however it best suits our game. As we don't play very often, and we don't technically have season ticket holders, results really are more important than style.

Ade

[Fergie's Son]

I'll be in my 40's before we qualify again.


This is depressing.

[finlma]

Dave O'Leary has ruled himself out of the running.

[Stuttgart88]

Liam Brady is the best of the Irish candidates in my view.

Unsuccessful at Celtic, albeit on a budget (he bought Wayne Biggins!), but they played tremendous football and he'd have the respect of the dressing room. It's just possible he may be able to do it alongside his Arsenal sinecure.

With regards to Kerr, sadly the biggest disappointment in my view is the lack of faith he seemingly had in players like Steven Reid & Alan Quinn and the perpetual faith he showed in others. I really think he should have laid down the law to Liam Miller during the summer: play first team football or you're not in the squad. I hope the fact that both are represented by Drury is not a factor here.

Even the 30 mins that Steven Reid got in the last 7 days showed us that he had plenty to offer yet he barely featured in any friendly squad for over a year. The "successful" friendly campaigns may have helped confidence at one stage but Kerr hardly ever set out to learn anything from the stream of friendly matches we played. I can barely think of any player who can say he cut his teeth in friendlies whereas under Mick, players like Dunne were able to come into the side in Amsterdam having played 3 US Cup games months earlier. I also think he's been slow to drop out of form players and slow to recognise within games when players need replacing. I thought Reid for Reid should have been made much earlier on Wednesday for example. I also think he should have been bolder and played Elliott, Keane AND Morrisson for the last 25 mins, with S. Reid, Holland & Kilbane playing a narrow but strong central midfield. We needed a goal didn't we?


I feel sorry for Kerr for being in the spotlight under adverse circumstances but, on top of the above, I think it's obvious this group of players just hasn't responded well to his style. Maybe the fact that this is the first generation of young millionaire Irish footballers has something to do with it, but if that's the unfortunate case then it's something that must be allowed for in the type of manager we have.

Thanks for the hard work Brian & I hope you can still contribute to Irish soccer.

[Lionel Ritchie]

What we need is an non-English manager with premiership experience. How's about a man who got his team into the CL twice and once to the CL semi-final, who is great with the press, and whose tactics and substitutions give you plenty to talk about in the pub afterwards. And who is currently available for employment?

Step forward Claudio Ranieri.

I mentioned him elsewhere too Fergal. I reckon he could be an excellent choice. Keep on Chris Hughton as his assistant maybe?

[Stuttgart88]

Keep on Chris Hughton as his assistant maybe?

Has Hughton emerged from the Kerr era so far with his reputation intact? Did Hughton not see that Morrisson was shagged out in Tel Aviv? Could Hughton not have suggested Elliott to replace Robbie against Israel at home? And so on...

I've asked this about a dozen times before and nobody has seen fit to respond: exactly what input did Huighton have in the last 3 years? Obedient servant to Kerr, doing what he's told & no more, or was he instrumental in the tactical deciusions & the style of play etc.?

[dublinred]

Bobby Robson has been mentioned in the press overhere , would be cheap and we did ok with the last senile geordie we had , reckon he would have Andy Townsend as his assisitant.

[Stuttgart88]

Step forward Claudio Ranieri.

His mum will be happy. He'd be reunited with Duff.

[Cowboy]

Is Mike Bassett available?

[gaf1983]

Would love to see Sam Allardyce get the job, dunno if hed take it though.

has experience managing in Ireland and has done wonders with Bolton.

[lamonti]

Would I be right in saying that even if the FAI do not renew Kerr's contract, as is quite possible, the may not select a new permanent candidate until before the next qualifying campaign - i.e. after world cup 2006. The managerial scene could be very different at that stage with many experienced international managers leaving after the world cup. Also Martin O'Neill's personal situation may be different then, or Guus Hiddink (an unlikely dream candidate) could have parted ways with the Aussies, perhaps even sooner, if they don't beat Uruguay. Perhaps a caretaker boss on trial for the likely friendlies we'll be having against World Cup bound nations.

[pineapple stu]

Now I'm up for slagging off the media as much as the next man, but what exactly is wrong with this? It was a match Ireland had to win, there will be an inquest (or at least there should be), he did have 32 months in charge, and the choice is whether to extend his contract or not. What's the problem?

My point is that that's the entire match report. Not a single word on the actual match - just straight into Kerr-bashing and speculation.

[Marked Man]

My point is that that's the entire match report. Not a single word on the actual match - just straight into Kerr-bashing and speculation.

How is it Kerr bashing? I know a lot of that has gone on lately, but I can't see it in the aertel report you quote.

[Colm]

Either keep Kerr or appoint Pat Dolan or even Steven Kenny.

As long as it's not some premiersh!t reject we should be ok.

[redgav]

Either keep Kerr or appoint Pat Dolan or even Steven Kenny.

As long as it's not some premiersh!t reject we should be ok.

One of the problems within this squad was that some players had no respect for kerr , you seriously Dolan or kenny will rectify that ...