O’Neill all set for Ireland call
Former international Chris Hughton — the Norwich City manager who was previously assistant to Brian Kerr in the Ireland job — stressed he is “incredibly happy” with his job at Carrow Road, while Leeds boss Brian McDermott not only ruled himself out of the running but went so far as to declare that O’Neill would be “a really good choice” to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni.
O’Neill has already let it be known that he would be interested in the job and, with the association’s Board of Management due to meet next week to consider the managerial vacancy, the former Celtic, Aston Villa and Sunderland manager is understood to be top of their list.
It has been suggested that O’Neill was informally sounded out about the situation at Celtic Park last Sunday after he had temporarily returned to the dug-out to manage a Celtic XI in Stiliyan Petrov testimonial game.
However last night, O’Neill insisted in a BBC interview there has been “no contact whatsoever” from the FAI. But when asked if he was ready to return to management, he replied: “Am I in state of equanimity? Am I of a composed mind? No, I don’t think so. I think I’m ready to go.”
Support for O’Neill’s candidacy continues to grow within the game. Even as he ruled himself out yesterday, Brian McDermott was talking up the Derry man’s credentials “If Martin O’Neill got the job, with his history and experience I’m sure he’d be a really good choice,” said the Leeds boss.
“My situation is that one day I want to manage the Republic of Ireland. But I’m at a fantastic football club and, at this moment in time, I wouldn’t be leaving Leeds for anyone.”
For his part, John Giles, who managed Ireland between 1973 and 1980, thinks O’Neill’s availability permits a beneficial early appointment. “If the people making the decision believe Martin O’Neill is the man, they can do it straight away,” said Giles. “I think the sooner you get the man into the position, it gives him two matches before we start another campaign.
“Martin has a great CV. Look what he did at Wycombe, Leicester, Celtic and Aston Villa. We don’t know what happened at Sunderland but you don’t suddenly become a bad manager and he wasn’t given a lot of time.”
Former Irish international Shay Given also called for a quick appointment. “The sooner it is done the better and (they should) make a decision as quick as possible,” the goalkeeper said.
Another former Ireland manager, Brian Kerr, also believes O’Neill has a persuasive claim. “Martin is a very experienced manager and a very passionate fellow,” Kerr said yesterday. “He has a lot of international experience from his playing career and from watching games and going to matches. He is definitely Irish, is intelligent and is also enthusiastic.”
Backing for the former Northern Ireland international also came from Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert, who played under O’Neill at Celtic Park: “He could do the job standing on his head. No problem. I’ve always said he is a fantastic manager.”
And there was support too for O’Neill from within the League of Ireland, where Trapattoni was certainly not without his critics.
“Martin would be fantastic appointment,” said Derry City boss Declan Devine. “If he does get the job he’d be a tremendous appointment, not only for the international set up but also for the Airtricity League which would benefit from having someone who’s going to games. And if the FAI appoint Martin O’Neill it would be another fantastic achievement for the people of Derry.”
Sligo Rovers manager Ian Baraclough also offered a thumbs-up.
“I think he would be fantastic,” he said. “He’s got the right character that can deal with players when you’ve only got them for a short space of time.”
Meanwhile FAI President Paddy McCaul defended Trapattoni against charges that he was a “money grabber”. “From day one his wages have always been well documented,” he told Shannonside FM. “But I don’t think anyone who worked with Giovanni, both in the FAI and the players, would accuse him of being a money grabber. I would prefer to say he was the ultimate professional in everything he did, in all his work.”
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