Delaney: King not in running to be new manager

FAI boss John Delaney has ruled out any chance of Noel King becoming the next full-time manager of Ireland and said he hopes to have the appointment of a successor to Giovanni Trapattoni “done and dusted well before Christmas”.

A day after King unveiled his squad for the upcoming games against Germany and Kazakhstan, the FAI chief executive made it clear the Dubliner’s role will be strictly limited to that of interim manager.

“Noel stepped in at the right time for us at this juncture [but] I think Noel knows on this occasion that he won’t be the manager of the Irish team going forward,” he said.

“But it’s great for his CV. He has approached it with great professionalism. He has done great work at U21 level and coaching level and is a great ambassador for the FAI.

“I couldn’t speak higher of Noel in terms of the current work he does for the association.”

However, speaking on RTÉ, Delaney made it clear King will not be considered for the full-time job irrespective of how Ireland fair in the two games under his charge.

“He won’t be on this occasion,” he said. “I think that is fair and he would understand that. He is just thrilled to get the opportunity to do it and, please God, he does very well over the two games as Germany away doesn’t come much tougher.”

Shamrock Rovers manager Trevor Croly, however, said yesterday King should be considered a credible candidate if Ireland do well in the forthcoming games. “It’s a results industry and if he’s winning games, why not?” said the Hoops boss, adding, “I’m sure he thinks that as well, secretly.”

Uncomfortable

In fact, King himself appeared a tad uncomfortable when asked about his own admittedly long-shot chances of becoming the next Ireland manager at his squad announcement on Monday, though he did describe his caretaker role as “an opportunity, absolutely,” adding, “anyone who could manage to get a victory or a performance against Germany, you’d have to say that improves their CV”.

Delaney has also strongly suggested the FAI would like to name the new boss this side of the festive season.

“I’d hope so” he said. “I don’t want to put any great timescale on it but that’s the ambition. You’d like to have it done and dusted well before Christmas. But, again, if the right person becomes available and says we can’t start until a certain time, that’s the way we’ll play it. Noel taking over the Irish team for these two games has been well received but after that we hope to get the manager in place before Christmas so we approach the new year and the draw for the Euros in February, with new hope, new optimism and a new manager.”

Delaney again refused to be drawn on the possible candidacy of Martin O’Neill, as the early hot favourite continues to be linked with a potential move to Fulham, where manager Martin Jol is under pressure.

“I wouldn’t comment on any specific candidate or potential candidate,” said the FAI chief. “But I think we’ve all seen bookies. Last time around, when Trapattoni eventually got the job, there must have been five, six, seven favourites in every different odd week. The reality is that there will be a manager of the Irish team, there’s been a higher level of interest than I’ve ever seen in my time and what we want to do is appoint the right person to make sure the Irish team goes to France in 2016.”

Meanwhile, striker Kevin Doyle deserves his international recall, according to Wolves manager Kenny Jackett.

“I don’t think that playing in League One is a problem, especially when you are talking about someone with that kind of international experience,” said Jackett.

And Hull City confirmed Ireland winger Robbie Brady will be out of action for around four weeks after opting to have surgery to correct a long-standing hernia problem.