Robson in the running as Republic race hots up

[Éanna]

football365 Bryan Robson has confirmed he wants to be the new Republic of Ireland manager as the Football Association of Ireland prepared to interview applicants for the job.

The 46-year-old former Middlesbrough boss, reported to be the FAI's preferred choice, said he has made them aware of his interest in the post.

Ex-Northern Ireland coach Bryan Hamilton, employed by the Association to draw up a shortlist of candidates, handed his dossier to FAI president Milo Corcoran in Dublin on Tuesday night.

And Robson, the bookmakers' red-hot favourite at even money, said: "Everybody knows I've got an interest in the job - but I'm not sure what Bryan Hamilton's done with his list."

Corcoran, acting general secretary Kevin Fahy and treasurer John Delaney, aiming to appoint Mick McCarthy's successor within a fortnight, will now hold final interviews with the shortlisted candidates.

"The quality of the field is very impressive," said Hamilton. adding that he had been particularly impressed by the "level of desire shown for the position".

Old Trafford legend Robson made 464 appearances for Manchester United and won 90 caps for England. He joined Middlesbrough as player-manager in 1994 and was at the helm at the Riverside until his departure in the summer of 2001.

Bookmakers William Hill have slashed his odds on becoming the new Republic boss from 7/4 to evens.

[Éanna]

please god NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Who in their right mind (EVEN THE FAI!) would let that man manage a football team?!

[gustavo]

ah but sure eanna dont ya know that bryan has all the credentials required to be the next ireland boss- namely being big chums with sir roy himself

[pete]

Dear god no

Sure even one of the bookies on the radio i think admitted he be glad to see the end of the betting on the Ireland job as is giving the industry a bad name that so many favourites have appeared from nowhere. Sure even George Burley popped up as favourite from nowhere the other week.

If the FAI weant to go for the popular choice they should go Kerr as i'd say he the overwhelming media & public choice at this stage.

btw i'm sure all the interested managers wouldn'ty anything to do with the fact they not got manager jobs at present?

[patsh]

Kerr has come from a cool
[COLOR=royalblue]5 to 1[/COLOR]
all the way into red hot
[COLOR=orangered]7 to 4 [/COLOR]
with some bookies in Dublin......hmmmmmm

[pete]

Originally posted by oddboy
Kerr has come from a cool
[COLOR=royalblue]5 to 1[/COLOR]
all the way into red hot
[COLOR=orangered]7 to 4 [/COLOR]
with some bookies in Dublin......hmmmmmm

I'd say thats a lot to do with the fact he the only known person on the list of 5.

[colster]

Originally posted by pete
I'd say thats a lot to do with the fact he the only known person on the list of 5.

Pete that may well be but at the very least he is being considered and not being dismissed out of hand by the FAI.
I think this is very encouraging.
If Kerr does well in this Youth Tournament coming up then he'll be quids in for the senior job.

[Shano]

Bryan Robson is a joke - we don't want him - why can't he have one of our own in charge.

[Shed End John]

Originally posted by Shano
Bryan Robson is a joke - we don't want him - why can't he have one of our own in charge.

Well said.
One of our own:
[color=green]BRIAN[/color] [color=green]KERR FOR[/color] [color=orange]IRELAND[/color]!!!!

Murphy Out Now!!!

[rua]

Originally posted by colster
If Kerr does well in this Youth Tournament coming up then he'll be quids in for the senior job. [/B]

I thought they had already decided who it is (by today, Friday at the latest) but cannot announce anything until the contract has been signed, so monday next at the earliest but more likely some time around wen/thurs

[brine2]

At the moment it looks as though the FAI are going for Kerr. Knowing the FAI, this is probably due to Kerr's lower wage demands. (I suspect) Looks like we're getting a manager that is committed long-term to Irish football at all levels. Talk about a breath of fresh air.

And Kerr's U-20 team have just gone and beaten France in Abu Dhabi!

I'm not celebrating yet. Don't underestimate the FAI's skill to make a mess of things. (Charlton ahead of Paisley, McCarthy ahead of Kinnear etc.)