To be fair to the Everton manager, he didn’t shy away from answering this question in the post-match interview.
Much of the build-up to today’s Merseyside derby was dominated by the war of words emerging between Ronald Koeman and Martin O’Neill.
The controversy surrounds James McCarthy and how the Ireland management named the Glasgow-born midfielder in the starting XI in the world cup qualifier against Wales.
Koeman alleges that the Irish management ignored their own medical advice and named McCarthy in the team before he eventually pulled out through injury during the warm-up.
O’Neill released a statement yesterday evening whereby he labeled the Everton manager as the “master tactician of the blame game.”
All-out WAR https://t.co/TQT3sGkAcC
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 31, 2017
In the same statement, O’Neill said that McCarthy played his first game for Everton just 11 days after returning from training after a short break.
Koeman released a tweet last night, counter arguing these claims, stating that McCarthy, in fact, had three and a half weeks off before beginning his preseason after Ireland’s exit from Euro 2016.
James McCarthy began his pre-season three and a half weeks after Ireland were knocked out of the Euros. From the master tactician
— Ronald Koeman (@RonaldKoeman) March 31, 2017
Koeman was interviewed by Sky Sports in the aftermath of Everton’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and he was inevitably asked whether the war of words with O’Neill had proved a distraction ahead of the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
“No, of course not, my first job was preparing the team and if I see something really unfair and really [badly] informed…it’s about laughing, I’m really serious, my answer was about James McCarthy got three and half weeks of holiday and not 11 days.
“If you react, then please be well-informed about the question.”
You can see the interview below but don’t be surprised if we hear a reaction from O’Neill in the coming days.
Ronald Koeman couldn't help but laugh at Martin O'Neills statement last night… #LIVEVE #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/lL94qPn8T3
— Seán McMahon (@Sean_McMahon89) April 1, 2017
