Irish Examiner View: Jack Charlton showed us what

Former Republic of Ireland football manager became a catalyst for huge change in Irish society

Mon, 13 Jul, 2020 - 10:07

Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton celebrates after his side qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals in Italy in 1990. Picture: Ray McManus/SPORTSFILE

His impact, or at least the sense of self-worth and empowerment he drilled into his players — wherever they came from — cascaded across this society in an unprecedented, rebellion-making way. Though it was hardly intended, he became a catalyst for the huge change, for the spectacular reordering of this society. He, again probably unintentionally proved Bill Shankly's dictum true: "Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that." Charlton, by giving that phrase real depth, again unknowingly, showed he was a wolf in a flat cap.