do have to agree with kingdom's point. if some of the players put half the effort into playing for ireland as the fans did supporting them, we'd be worldbeaters.
I liked Kerr as a manager and wanted him to be re-appointed (as it was obvious Martin O'Neill wasn't going to accept the post), but I can understand why the Kerr bashers wanted him rid. He didn't qualify from a group that was within our grasp, so I can see why he was let go.
What gets my goat up is that nobody appreciates the football we played up to the Cyprus match under Kerr. Away against Israel we were superb. Great early goal, and then the keep ball we played was excellent, possibly the best I've seen. We dominated the game, were unlucky to concede a good equaliser and were even unluckier not to bag a winner. Of all the teams that played in Israel we controlled them the best.
As for the home game against Israel, we got off to a flyer, and the substitution he made was the right one. Coasting to victory, the right thing to do was shore the midfield up. I've no doubt that we were p*xed unlucky in the last group.
The fact that so many rumours were coming from the camp was also worrying. Our most professional international manager in terms of setup and the players were supposedly unhappy about this. That annoys me. There are many supporters who travel home and abroad, pay touts ridiculous prices for tickets and can afford it. There are many who can't. We deserve people to represent us who should be doing their utmost for the national team. I don't think this was honestly the case in the last campaign.
As I said earlier, I can understand re:results why people wanted him gone but to blame it all on Kerr is foolhardy. The players were equally rssponsible.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
do have to agree with kingdom's point. if some of the players put half the effort into playing for ireland as the fans did supporting them, we'd be worldbeaters.
Kerr makes return to scene of Cyprus horror in TV3 role
BRIAN KERR this weekend returns to the scene of one of the most traumatic nights in his international management, writes Colm O’Connor.
Twelve months ago, almost to the day, Kerr’s Republic of Ireland side limped to a 0-1 victory over Cyprus in a World Cup Group Four Qualifier — his penultimate game in charge.
Despite the memories, the former Irish boss will be in the GSP Stadium in Nicosia working as a co-commentator to Trevor Welch for TV3’s coverage of the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifier.
In Trap we trust
Brother met him last night in Cyprus, knew nothing of the leeds link..
Good post Jerry and kingdom.
I reckon they wanted rid of Kerr so badly cause he took to much of an interest in the FAI and what they got up to.
Because obviously what was unacceptable in terms of results last year is suddenly more than acceptable now.
Im a Leeds fan and know all the goings on at the moment. Brian has officially applied for the job. The club has made no comment on the application but its clear to all that he doesnt have a hope in hell of getting the job.
Leeds are waiting for Curbishley to come back from his holidays when they will officially approach him regarding the job. If he turns it down then the three main candidates are Claudio Ranieri, who has already said that he wants the job, Gary McAllister, who has indicated his desire to manage the club, and John Carver who is currently the caretaker manager and the favourite in many peoples eyes.
To be honest, Kerr doesnt even come into the reckoning.
Unless Brian Kerr is Denis Wisein disguise, he didn't get the job.
I don't think Kerr will ever get a big job in the UK. His cv doesn't stack up. Success at underage level won't impress the Chairmen over there and 2 draws and a loss to Switzerland, a draw and a loss to France, a draw with Albania and 2 draws with Israel quite frankly isn't that impressive either I am afraid. Wins over Cyprus, Albania (last minute), the Faroes and Georgia: would you give him the job?
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
that may be so .. but no-one with their full faculties can make an argument that Denis Wise is a better manager than Brian Kerr. Maybe the players have more respect because he talks in a cheeky cockney accent. Anyone this has been discussed to death. Just hope Brian gets a decent job and shuts up his critics .. because that is the only way he can ... Israel games .. please ... a freak shot in the 90th minute after controlling the game for 89 minutes (mainly on Keane's prompting) .. a wonder goal from Henry .. and the game at Lansdowne against Israel .. I'm getting sucked back into this!!![]()
As far as I'm concerned Brian Kerr is one of the greatest club managers this country ever produced, you're interpretation of his CV shows where you're coming from on the matter, ie a gaping lack of insight into just what this man has done in this country.
Agree to disagree.
What has anti-FAI got to do with Brian Kerr? Are you claiming Brian Kerr was anti-FAI and on what do you base that?
All I did was point to Kerr's record at senior competitive international level (2 wins against Georgia, the Faroes, Cyprus and 1 against Albania) and said I doubt if a top team would hire him on the basis of the results. Incidentally, I also said he shouldn't have been let go unless they had someone better to replace him which they obviously didn't.
As to the best local manager, Jim McLaughlin by a long shot.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
It just seems that anything the FAI is against, you're against and vice versa. What are your thoughts on Roy Keane?![]()
Last edited by eirebhoy; 26/10/2006 at 9:28 AM.
I am not sure the FAI (whatever the FAI means since its made up of many elements of Irish soccer) was against Brian Kerr. He was afterall given the job of looking after the teams at underage level and then, against the views of some, he was given the top job by "the FAI". When his contract wasn't renewed at the end of his tenure, that decision was supported by a majority of soccer people (that was until we saw who the world class replacement was). So I don't go with this "the FAI" was against Kerr.
WWS, best "club manager" as against most successful local manager?. Jim McLoughlin didn't have huge resources when he was successful at Dundalk and Rovers and I'll admit, not being a Pat's fan, that I don't know what great things he did at Pats, although I remember the titles in the 1990s and problems as regards fielding unregistered players, but as a Rovers fan of long vintage, I know what Jim McL did for the Hoops after years of stagnation until stabbed in the back by the Kilcoynes.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
The unregistered players fiasco was nothing to do with Brian Kerr, he was long gone at that stage. As regards Jim McLaughlin, fine manager I agree, with an excellent record, but to claim he didn't have big resources ? Didn't Rovers have by general consensus far and away the best group of players in the league during the four in a row era ? Brian took a group of players who weren't big names to the Title on two occasions(Having rebuilt the entire squad for the second Title). He's a legend in Inchicore and rightly so. His Ireland record could have been better, sure, but it makes my blood boil when I hear or read it being described as some sort of disaster. It was far from that. Wait till this campaign is finished and see where we are then.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
Owls did point out that Jim McLoughlin was (player) manager with Dundalk. Some 8 good years there with average resources. Including, the classic Domestic/European achievements with the '78 '79 team.
Its a no brainer, McLoughlin stands head and shoulders over any LOI manager.
Even Eoin Hand, then a rookie LOI manager, his record in his first two qual. campaigns is better than Kerr's.
Though the gran daddy of the lot has to be Liam Tuohy.
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