New Irish manager

**Noelys Guitar** · 14/01/2008, 11:41 PM

houllier and Sanchez to be interviewed this week. Compo not a problem if Houllier wants the job (which I still doubt but you never know)
http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer...618-qqqx=1.asp

**livehead1** · 15/01/2008, 8:26 AM

I'm glad to hear they seem to be stretching themselves to find the right man this time, i just hope its not another dissappointment when we discover who it is

**livehead1** · 15/01/2008, 8:30 AM

In fact, scrap what I've just said, the FAI and their little panel appear to have been caught on the hop once again! Houllier to Newcastle...

Gerard Houllier has been given the go ahead to succeed Sam Allardyce as Newcastle manager.

The former Liverpool boss, who is currently the French Football Federation's technical director, has emerged as one of the frontrunners for the vacancy at St James' Park in recent days.

And his current employers have confirmed they will not deny him the opportunity to take the job if offered it.

FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalette told the Daily Express: "I would not stand in Gerard's way if there was something else he wanted to do. I am not surprised he gets offers.

"He turned one or two down to rejoin us and they were better financially than we could offer him."

Former Newcastle owner Sir John Hall has publicly stated Houllier would be his preferred choice to step in to the manager's hot seat at St James' Park.

He is now quoted at 6-1 to take the job by some bookmakers while favourite Kevin Keegan is now 2-1.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...047709,00.html

**geysir** · 15/01/2008, 8:47 AM

All Gerard has to do is to name a few players and the Panel will be bowled over by his incredible and detailed knowledge of the Irish team. Then should he mention that he is aware of 2 players in the French 2nd div, that only he can unearth and deliver to the Irish squad, fans will be won over and the media will salivating at Gerards indepth knowledge of the Irish team and dedication to making it stronger.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/01/2008, 9:31 AM

If Givens is in Sofia for the next day or so with the fixtures meeting, will it just be Howe and Houghton interviewing, or will they wait for him to return?

**drummerboy** · 15/01/2008, 10:19 AM

Didn't Delaney say that the new manager could be unveiled before the end of this week. If so they more or less have their mind made up already

**Noelys Guitar** · 15/01/2008, 10:31 AM

It all sounds like a smokescreen to appoint Venables. Why all of a sudden are they naming the candidates to be interviewed and going into detail about the money on offer. Houllier wants to manage in the Premiership so contact with him will be similiar to the Hodgson and Jewell chats. Not a hope in hell of Davies or Sanchez getting the job. It all sounds like spin "look we are interviewing ex premiership managers and having a "chat" with Houllier". Delaney has panicked after the weekend media bashing the process received and I expect to see a new manager by the end of next week.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/01/2008, 10:49 AM

Coppell's name added to the mix, according to football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...048033,00.html

**geysir** · 15/01/2008, 10:54 AM

Coppel is not just added to the mix but first choice

How many first choices can the interview panel have in the same week ?

The punters have run out of cash by now.

**Jerry The Saint** · 15/01/2008, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Coppell's name added to the mix, according to football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...048033,00.html

As the soundbite on Newstalk says "It's Mischievous!".

RTE website (which CONFIRMED Venables appointment when it got back from the boozer on Friday) is now saying the list of candidates is lengthening every day as we get closer to the decision. Not that you'd expect anything else from the FAI.

**shakermaker1982** · 15/01/2008, 10:58 AM

we are getting a new 'candidate' every bloody day now. I'd love Coppell but cannot see him jumping ship halfway through the season.

**colster** · 15/01/2008, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

we are getting a new 'candidate' every bloody day now. I'd love Coppell but cannot see him jumping ship halfway through the season.

Would he have to? Seasons ends April/May. The WC Qualifiers would start earliest in May/June.

**Dr. Ogba** · 15/01/2008, 11:10 AM

Coppell has popped up as a "new" candidate at least 3 times now during this process. Really can't see it happening unless he agrees to take it part-time until the end of the season at which point he leaves Reading.

Really hope he gets it though, mainly because I managed to stick a fiver on him at 150-1 on Betfair months ago!!

**dr_peepee** · 15/01/2008, 11:33 AM

I think he's gonna leave the reading job very soon.. Whether or not it's for the ireland job is another thing but he's made some very ominous comments about the futility of club management at a club like Reading... Something along the lines of if you loose, it's disheartening, back to the drawing board, work on problems. But even if you win, you're elated for all of ten minutes then reality kicks in and you're back to the drawing board, focusing on the next game... It ties in with with what I was saying in the Stephen Hunt thread earlier. I feel Coppel will pack in at Reading soon, and they're gonna go like Charlton post Curbishly...

He ticks allot of my criteria for International management in terms of experience. I really believe you should be at the end of your learning curve or there abouts when you take on an international job. You shouldn't be cutting your teeth at the expense of a nation...

**tetsujin1979** · 15/01/2008, 11:42 AM

The other thing about Coppell, and a lot of the candidates to be honest, is that if they succeed, they will be in demand by Premiership teams when their managers are given the sack. I wonder if that would influence the 3 wise men? Unfortunately the only candidate you can't say about is Venables, who hasn't been linked with any of the Premiership jobs that have come available in some time.

**soccerc** · 15/01/2008, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Unfortunately the only candidate you can't say about is Venables, who hasn't been linked with any of the Premiership jobs that have come available in some time.

What about the link between Sir Bobby and Venners?

**irishfan86** · 15/01/2008, 6:29 PM

The latest:

Houllier uninterested in Newcastle, Deschamps new favourite for Tyneside:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...049995,00.html

**Paulh** · 15/01/2008, 6:40 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I think he's gonna leave the reading job very soon.. Whether or not it's for the ireland job is another thing but he's made some very ominous comments about the futility of club management at a club like Reading... Something along the lines of if you loose, it's disheartening, back to the drawing board, work on problems. But even if you win, you're elated for all of ten minutes then reality kicks in and you're back to the drawing board, focusing on the next game... It ties in with with what I was saying in the Stephen Hunt thread earlier. I feel Coppel will pack in at Reading soon, and they're gonna go like Charlton post Curbishly...

He ticks allot of my criteria for International management in terms of experience. I really believe you should be at the end of your learning curve or there abouts when you take on an international job. You shouldn't be cutting your teeth at the expense of a nation...

If it isn't Houllier (and that's the way it's looking), I'd love to See Coppell get it.

As you said, he's made noises about wanting out of Club management for a couple of months now.

I don't think he would just walk out on Reading mid-season. However, as our first WC qualifier isn't until September, there would be no need to.

Assuming that agreement could be reached between the FAI and the Reading chairman, I don't see why he couldn't do the job part-time until the end of the EPL season. The season ends in May so he would have 3 - 4 months before our WC game against Georgia.

He would be seeing the majority of our players every week in the EPL anyway. While the warm up friendlies are important, they don't require someone full-time.

Despite all the speculation and nonsense of the last few weeks, I really think we'll end up back where we started - with Del Boy.

I hope not but I really think that we will. I suspect that's why names like Sanchez and Davies are being "leaked" - in the hope that fans will think Del Boy isn't so bad if he is the choice.

**Kingdom** · 15/01/2008, 6:40 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

The latest:

Houllier uninterested in Newcastle, Deschamps new favourite for Tyneside:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...049995,00.html

That must be the 3rd or 4th time I've seen those quotes from the FFF President. I'm ignoring a lot now. Just wait for the name and if its a pleasant surprise be happy about it!