He’s back.
Mick McCarthy was unveiled as the Republic of Ireland’s new manager on Sunday in Dublin. McCarthy will be assisted by Terry Connor and Robbie Keane will be on his coaching staff.
The 59-year-old former Ipswich Town coach was at the Aviva Stadium as his second reign as Ireland boss officially began.
McCarthy succeeds Martin O’Neill, who left his post earlier this week after five years in charge.
CONFIRMED | The FAI are delighted to announce that Mick McCarthy is the new Ireland Manager with Stephen Kenny with taking over as U21 Manager.
Full story: https://t.co/Jwxe1142ow #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/aQdZub628Q
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 25, 2018
The former Ireland captain has signed a deal that will run until the end of the Euro 2020 campaign, at which point he will be succeeded by Stephen Kenny. The Dundalk manager was a popular choice to replace O’Neill.
Instead, he will become the Ireland Under-21 manager for the next 18-months and step into McCarthy’s role when Ireland’s involvement in Euro 2020 comes to an end.
McCarthy was previously Ireland manager between 1996 and 2002. He helped oversee a transition from the old guard of Jack Charlton’s players and bring through young players such as Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne and Shay Given.
McCarthy’s side eventually got a tournament in 2002. Ahead of the World Cup, the Ireland manager and his captain Roy Keane had an explosive argument. Ireland still went on to perform well at the World Cup, where they lost on penalties to Spain in the round of 16.
Ireland were top seeds in qualifying for Euro 2004. However, their campaign got off to a terrible start. They lost 4-2 away to Russia and 2-1 at home to Switzerland. McCarthy, under intense pressure and criticism following the poor start to qualifying and the Saipan debacle, resigned in November 2002.
In club management, he has had a really respectable career. He helped Sunderland and Wolves earn promotion to the Premier League. He also got Ipswich to the Championship playoffs and kept them in mid-table, despite operating on a shoestring budget. He left that post in April of this year.
McCarthy’s remit as Ireland manager this time around is to reach Euro 2020.
“I’m honoured and excited to be back with the Republic of Ireland. I am delighted that the FAI Board and CEO have given me this opportunity to lead the team to EURO 2020,” McCarthy said in a statement.
“I have been involved in club football for the last 15 years, so this will be a new challenge but one that I know well. I’m delighted to have Terry Connor, a trusted colleague and excellent coach, and Robbie Keane, one of the finest players who I had the pleasure of managing, helping me as assistant coaches.
“I am looking forward to getting started and embracing this challenge to qualify for EURO 2020, where it would be fantastic to play in front of the Ireland supporters in Aviva Stadium.
