The Republic of Ireland are looking for a new manager.
Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane left their posts on Wednesday morning after five years with the national team.
O’Neill’s time as Ireland manager had some great nights and some brilliant results. The team recorded wonderful victories over Germany, Bosnia, Italy and Austria and reached the last-16 of Euro 2016.
However, the last 18-months has seen Ireland’s form fall off a cliff.
BREAKING! https://t.co/42cDchVthx
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 21, 2018
The team last won a competitive match was October 2017 against Wales. They haven’t scored a goal in over six and a half hours of football.
Denmark beat Ireland 5-1 last November in the second leg of the World Cup playoff. And Ireland’s opening game of the Uefa Nations League ended in a 4-1 defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
Ireland were relegated from their Nations League group and will be third seeds in the qualification group for Euro 2020.
All signs suggested that it was time for a change.
According to a report in The Irish Mirror, the FAI want to have a new manager in place within the next two weeks.
Who would you have replace O'Neill? https://t.co/k7UNMytrZ5
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 21, 2018
According to the report:
- The FAI want to appoint a new manager before the draw for the Euro 2020 qualifiers is made. The draw takes place in Dublin on Sunday, December 2.
- Mick McCarthy is said to be the “clear front-runner” for the job.
- The association reportedly want a “safe pair of hands” to guide the team to Euro 2020, a tournament that will see games hosted in Dublin.
- Other coaches reportedly in contention are Lee Carsley, the former Ireland midfielder who is now a coach with the England U21 team, and Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager.
- Stephen Kenny “may not be a serious contender” for the job “this time around.”
McCarthy is the bookies’ favourite for the job. He was Ireland manager between 1996 and 2002 and is out of work after leaving Ipswich Town towards the end of last season.
