Trap successor must look beyond senior success
But if the decision is not as simple as that, then the FAI should take their time and make sure they do their due diligence on all the possible candidates to ensure the right man is chosen to take us forward.
Our World Cup campaign is over in terms of hopes of qualifying but we can still aim to finish the group well and instil some confidence in the squad and renewed optimism amongst supporters after two disappointing results.
But this is also where the old concept of ‘the poisoned chalice’ could be a factor in the succession race: after all, would the new man really want his first game to be against a formidable Germany team on German soil, especially when you consider we will be without our first choice centre-half pairing of Richard Dunne and John O’Shea?
When a new manager takes charge, for either club or country, there is almost always a positive reaction from players. Guys who were on the periphery of things feel that they might get more playing time while the ones who usually start will be keen to ensure the status quo continues. All players, no matter how young or old, want to impress a new boss.
When I speak about the importance of Ireland getting the right man, what I mean is someone who’s going to be passionate about the international job in all its aspects and not just content to deal solely with the senior team.
The good news is that, in the Ireland under-age set-up, there are coaches who have brought in methods to ensure our young players have good technical ability and their own footballing identity. Player development is more important at these ages than results, so the seeds these coaches are planting now will hopefully bear fruit in years to come.
However, having started my coaching licence in the summer with the FAI, I formed the impression that there wasn’t really proper cohesion between our under-age teams and the senior team. I believe it is vitally important that the under-age players and coaches are all working in the same direction as the senior team — and, for me, that guidance has to come from the senior manager.
Whoever that turns out to be, I am still hopeful of adding to the caps I have earned to date, despite having been left out of the last couple of squads under Trapattoni. It’s been a frustrating period for me, what with injuries and having to uproot and relocate 250 miles away to Brighton, but I have to say I’m feeling really good at the moment and very comfortable in my new surroundings, both on and off the pitch.
For the last few years I’ve always tried to take control of my own destiny and make sure I achieve something every season, as you never know how many you have left once you get to my advanced years. Too often in this day and age I find players are content at just being in the squad or even sitting in the stand. I had enough of that in the early parts of my career when I was at Wolves. So, at this stage, I regarded the opportunity to come and play for a club that is moving in the right direction, with a brand new stadium filled with passionate fans, and playing the style of football I both believe in and enjoy, was too good to turn down. Had I felt it wasn’t the right move then I certainly would have bided my time at Bolton, despite their clear indication that I was surplus to requirements.
After being at Brighton for a month or so, I am feeling increasingly confident about us having a very good season and at least replicating the club’s play-off exploits last time around. The manager, Oscar Garcia, comes with a pedigree of having worked with the renowned Barcelona youth team and reserves, and it was a big attraction for me to come and learn from a manager who favours totally different methods. And I have to say, in the time I’ve been here, he has impressed me with his calm demeanour and deep knowledge of the game.
This week sees us come up against three of the favourites to gain promotion, when we face Reading and QPR away from home, followed by my former club Bolton at home, all in the space of six days. The Championship is as competitive as ever, with any team seemingly capable of beating anybody else, so the most important thing for us is to try and keep a consistency in our performances.
We have a few lads out injured at present but when our squad is fully fit I firmly believe we are a match for anybody in this league.
