New Irish manager

[Stuttgart88]

but what different 'credentials' would you have to represent a fans group no more than does Alan Hunter or anyone else on here or indeed not on here?

I was kind of thinking of me

[paul_oshea]

id back ye stutts. good sensible and logical head on ye!!!

[OwlsFan]

So slightly facetiously I make the point but - anyone think Don Givens should be given a fair crack of the whip? Notwithstanding his failure with the U-21s, it was odd listening to a manager who had his head screwed on right & vaguely knew what he was doing.

You're coming from a pretty low base of course comparison wise. "I am the boss. I am the gaffer. Alan O'Brien is the second Maradona ((no he didn't really say that))". Givens still made these stupid substitutions to try and run down the clock when we were leading, like taking off the one man who might be able to retain the ball, Andy Reid. Re-run of Slovakia.

Being articulate doesn't necessarily mean you're a good manager. Can anyone actually understand a word Alex Ferguson says? "Hey, winnna, dinnna, Ronaldo, herdy, ferdie, Rooney, keepa tightah, hootsmon, gameoftwo halves" but he does ok.

[amaccann]

You're coming from a pretty low base of course comparison wise. "I am the boss. I am the gaffer. Alan O'Brien is the second Maradona ((no he didn't really say that))". Givens still made these stupid substitutions to try and run down the clock when we were leading, like taking off the one man who might be able to retain the ball, Andy Reid. Re-run of Slovakia.

Being articulate doesn't necessarily mean you're a good manager. Can anyone actually understand a word Alex Ferguson says? "Hey, winnna, dinnna, Ronaldo, herdy, ferdie, Rooney, keepa tightah, hootsmon, gameoftwo halves" but he does ok.

Well like I said, I was being facetious; but if nothing else, I got a sense of better organisation & structure in the team, rather than the 11 man, headless-chicken act Staunton's teams showed. I'd love to know what a genuinely talented manager could bring to the table.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Irish Times:

The recruitment process took a small but significant step forward over the weekend when Delaney met senior members of the squad including Given, Kevin Kilbane and Robbie Keane to hear their views on the impending appointment.

"There was about half a dozen of us," said Given, "and it was good to speak to John about it. He wanted our thoughts on the manager situation and it was clear that he's desperate to get the right man in charge as well.

According to Saturday's indo the other players were John O'Shea, Steve Finnan and Lee Carsley.

[geysir]

Looks like the single most important factor in eliminating Venables from the running is if England qualify for the Euro Finals, every cloud has a silver lining.

[Stuttgart88]

I see Martin Jol has turned down Birmingham. I wonder would Giles see fit to have a word in his ear too.

I'd like Jol and think he'd be better than Jewell and has experience from an international perspective. I'd love to know if his name is (a) even on the FAI's minds and (b) if his name was mentioned by Robbie or any of the players in last week's meeting.

I read an interesting point on the prospective use of "headhunters": in business they're typically only used to take a guy out of an existing job, not to hire someone who is out of work. In fact that's what to "headhunt" actually means.

[Metrostars]

Interesting....

Finns try to put block on any Republic move for Hodgson


David Hytner
Tuesday November 20, 2007
The Guardian


The Finnish FA yesterday vowed to do all it could to stop its coach, Roy Hodgson, succeeding Steve Staunton in charge of Republic of Ireland. The former Blackburn manager has been a great success since he took over at the start of last year and has moved into the reckoning alongside Terry Venables and Paul Jewell.
Senior Ireland players are believed to want a manager who has international experience, which goes against the former Wigan manager, and the prospect of Venables being available is receding as England now need only a draw against Croatia tomorrow night to reach the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.
...
Having taken charge of Finland at a low ebb, after a disappointing campaign for the last World Cup, Hodgson has transformed their fortunes. He has instilled discipline and a team ethic, only seven goals have been conceded in 13 Group A ties, and hopes of qualification remain alive prior to the showdown with Portugal in Porto tomorrow night. Win that and, provided Serbia do not win their final two fixtures, Finland would qualify for a major championship for the first time. They have never previously even been close.
But Portugal need only a draw to guarantee their own safe passage, which stacks the odds against the Finns and brings the end of Hodgson's tenure into sight. He is out of contract after this campaign and would prefer a new challenge to agreeing fresh terms.

Hodgson's career highlight was guiding Switzerland to the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96. Getting his latest side through would top that and the Finns recognise his value to them. "It's natural that Roy has been talked about for the Ireland job because he is a top coach," said Timo Walden of the Finnish FA. "We are extremely happy and satisfied with his work and we will work as hard as possible to keep him."

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_...src=rss&feed=5

[Noelys Guitar]

I see Martin Jol has turned down Birmingham. I wonder would Giles see fit to have a word in his ear too.

I'd like Jol and think he'd be better than Jewell and has experience from an international perspective. I'd love to know if his name is (a) even on the FAI's minds and (b) if his name was mentioned by Robbie or any of the players in last week's meeting.

I read an interesting point on the prospective use of "headhunters": in business they're typically only used to take a guy out of an existing job, not to hire someone who is out of work. In fact that's what to "headhunt" actually means.

Do you get the feeling that there will be an announcment in the next few weeks on the RTE 6.01 news of our new manager and everyone will say "who the **** is this guy"! Or worse than that. "oh No". You can't rule anything out with the FAI.

[shakermaker1982]

I'd be very happy with Hodgson.

[Dr. Ogba]

the names of Hodgson and Hiddink being mentioned in the papers is a very very encouraging trend...would be absolutely delighted with either one of these guys...

[geysir]

"He is out of contract after this campaign and would prefer a new challenge to agreeing fresh terms."
I wonder how the Guardian journalist came to that conclusion about Hodgson.

[NeilMcD]

He has been my recommendation from the start and I still stand by it. I think he is the perfect coach for us at this moment in time. He ticks all the boxes in my view.

[paul_oshea]

"It's natural that Roy has been talked about for the Ireland job because he is a top coach,"

Wheres EG and the rest of them now

[irishfan86]

Wheres EG and the rest of them now

Probably on the plane to Finland!

[geysir]

There is the information that Birmingham received £3m compensation for a (average?) manager like Bruce. Someone who if reports are to be believed they would like to replace anyway and still they get £3m and have that to wave around and to say hello with to another manager.

[OwlsFan]

Bruce would have been much better but for the referees. They were all out to get him

The FAI can't compete with Premiership money. Of that I have no doubt so forget any Premiership or potential Premiership manager. Hodgson, whose box Neill has ticked, had an average season with Blackburn so if he becomes available, there mightn't be any interest from Premiership clubs. Haven't looked at the tables recently but aren't Finland in with a chance of qualifying?

[NeilMcD]

Where have you been Owls Fan, they are playing Portugal this Wed and if they win they will qualify if Serbia dont win both their games. I dont think they will make it but considering that Finland have never qualified and I cant remember them even been close before its some achievment. They were starting from a much lower base than we were. He qualified Blackburn for Europe which is what Mark Hughes is doing with them now and is rightly gettting great praise. Add to that his record with Switzerlandand its not a bad record.

[geysir]

The FAI could compete with whatever contract Finland are going to offer.
We are always a good option for a manager previously shunned for the England job.

[Stuttgart88]

Hodgson would be able to live and work pretty much full time in England too. That's handy if you're English.