Azerbaijan boss Gianni de Biasi knows the value of patience - the FAI may well take note

Azerbaijan coach Gianni De Biasi aims to create a squad which can last over time and says Ireland have good qualities. Picture: Jonathan Moscrop

Once the points from Saturday’s meeting of Ireland and Azerbaijan in Baku have been allocated, Stephen Kenny has an ally in opposing manager Gianni De Biasi.

The Italian may not share the view held by Kenny that Ireland deserved more from the nations’ draw a month ago. But unlike many visiting managers to Dublin, De Biasi has noticed Ireland’s stylistic changes under Kenny and is testament to the argument that managers need time to make that kind of shift stick.