Polish up that CV.
It went from a no, to a maybe, to a yes.
It wasn’t quite Peter denying Jesus three times – Niall Quinn only denied his interest twice – but eventually he was won over, by himself mostly, to the idea of a role as head of the FAI. Or at least some role within the organisation.
In the space of a 26-minute conversation the former Ireland striker and Sunderland chairman went from ruling himself out of a role, to outlining what would be the first thing that would need to happen for him to apply for a job. And not cleaning the dressing rooms. The top job too.
The Dubliner, diplomatic as ever, led journalists on a metaphorical trip around the new Sky building in Ballsbridge, before finally coming around to the idea that he could see a role within the halls of Abbotstown.
But first the refusal when asked if he would be interested in John Delaney’s job, hypothetically speaking of course,
“No, I wouldn’t because what I can’t do is the politics side of being a CEO of a sports organisation. It’s political, I think it’s horses for courses.”
“I couldn’t do it as long as you’re depending on your first team to win matches to make sure your development pathways work. There should be a line drawn between senior football and what it means and the development of these players.“Now, unfortunately, these have to do well for development money to come back into this. If a system was put in place, you could call them academies, nurseries, whatever you want, if we give our footballers, our young footballers, an education, an elite football education as a first … so, if you’re putting a new structure together that that becomes the important thing and not, ‘oh my god Trap gave a terrible interview therefore oh my god the sponsors are not going to be happy’,
Quinn admits that due t0 his former role as a chairman of Sunderland, and his experience as someone who went to Arsenal as a teenager, he has a special interest in youth development and the future of Irish football.
He is despondent that so few Irish players are competing in the Premier League, and describes Everton as the great hope for Irish football and our international players.
But after two no’s making a yes, Quinn feels that a change of approach from the FAI or the League of Ireland would make him an interested candidate when Delaney’s time at the FAI comes to an end.
“Yeah, Everton now are our great hope. Everton to have a good year and our players at Everton to really perform. I speak about loyalty but I was really hoping that Seamus Coleman would go to United! I think it would have really sparked interest, but that is one part of it.”
“Going back to the development of players, that’s something I’m huge on. If we had a system here where we didn’t have to take the gamble which is now 100/1 but was 10/1 in my day, it could be even more. If the FAI stood for that and that alone, or if the League of Ireland stood for that as part of its objectives then I would be very interested.”
Quinn is wise enough to know that his comments will be jumped upon by a media hungry for any angle, and is quick to add that he does not want to be seen as going off on a solo run.
“I’m not leading a crusade. I’d like, even if what I said started different thinking in and around and if it led to ‘well, you’re talking about the league …’ that it’s all about nurseries.”
Quinn is hopeful for the new U17 league that the FAI launched last week can be a success but ultimately feels that the lure of England will be the biggest test.
“I hope it takes on. I saw the launch, I wasn’t at it. It’s a step in the right direction but does it stop a 16-year-old if the scout knocks on his door? That’s the acid test and when that day comes then we’d have a proper association and league.”
Quinn also admits that he has been rebuffed more than once when he has tried to get involved in Irish football before.
When he retired he was due to become part of an Irish U21 set up but the offer was dropped at the last minute, while he had a role with a football task force to help the League of Ireland which was nixed by the Irish Sports Council following complaints after one meeting, while a plan to get involved with Shamrock Rovers was also given the snip.
However the former Manchester City man does stand by his recent comments about how the League of Ireland could be developed and TV audience curated in foreign countries. He feels TV money is the only way for domestic clubs to survive and progress.
“I spent a bit of time in Africa a few years ago and football is just off the wall, it’s off the radar, it’s incredible the passion and the love they have for football. And I know that there would be a company there that would hold rights in every country that they could go and do a deal with and say ‘here’s where Roy Keane played’ or ‘here’s Damien Duff playing in it’.“You’re nothing without TV rights if you want to have a successful league. Whatever ever comes about of this task force set up to look at it, you have to start and say ‘can we envisage seeing Shamrock Rovers playing Bohemians with a good crowd at the match, and you’re in a bar in Kenya?’
Niall Quinn was speaking at the launch of Sky Sports’ coverage of the Barclays Premier League. Sky Sports will show every team live by the end of September as part of 116 Premier League fixtures that will be shown exclusively live on the channel.
