Lee Carsley leading contender as FAI launch first real head coach search in 15 years
LEE-DING CONTENDER: England manager Lee Carsley during the UEFA Euro U21 Championship Qualifying Group F match at Goodison Park recently. Photo credit: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
It’s official – the first Ireland head coach search since 2018 is underway – but it’s really a decade longer since there was a contest.
On that last occasion, chief executive John Delaney already had discussed Mick McCarthy and Stephen Kenny’s candidature with his board before they dispensed with Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane.
The board ratified Delaney’s call before his final game, a soulless, scoreless draw against Denmark in a freezing Aarhus.
Given what was discovered about the board machinations of that era, such premature decisions were the norm.
As was the case when O’Neill was being lined up to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni in late 2013. The only surprise was Keane being parachuted in as the sidekick.
In reality, the last time a sense of open competition was in operation preceded Trap’s arrival in 2008.
Delaney’s confidence in landing O’Neill after sacking Steve Staunton proved ill-judged and a number of contenders, including one-time favourite Terry Venables, were spoken to by the chief’s sub-committee of Don Givens, Ray Houghton and Don Howe.
Trapattoni’s availability, and closeness to Liam Brady, changed the dial and the clout of Denis O’Brien’s sponsorship of wages facilitated a contract offer that lured the Italian.
Gone are those days of paying managers like Trap and O’Neill in the region of €1.9m basic annual salary.
Mick McCarthy’s brief second stint kept him just about inside the seven-figure bracket, whereas Kenny was paid around €560,000 per annum since he assumed control earlier than the preordained August 2020 handover date due to Covid-19.
Given the FAI remain straddled with liabilities of €50m, they’re unlikely to embark on a quest to resume those hefty salary levels.
Kenny’s salary was less than most English Championship managers, ruling out a clump of contenders who may have a payday foremost in their criteria.
Conversely, the job on offer in this recruitment process which the FAI admit is immediately underway, could appeal to a manager confident in his ability without money being the motivation.
Here, we look at six candidates for the hotseat.
Appointing a new boss before Christmas would be the best present of all but it doesn’t always work to plan. Interviews are due to start without delay though.
The rising star of the English FA is being touted as Gareth Southgate’s successor due following his feat of guiding U21s to their first Euro title for 39 years.
Varied previous experience at Coventry City, Brentford, Birmingham City, Manchester City bolster his CV.
Lack of permanent stints has been floated. As has his mild-mannered persona, if that’s relevant. Steve Clarke’s seems to have done well enough in guiding Scotland to successive Euros without being the bubbliest.
Box-office and has the incentive of completing unfinished business. The most decorated Irish player of the past 30 years is yearning for a route back into management, with sponsors and fans willing to lap it up.
Combustibility. It will never escape him despite the mellowing that’s supposed to come after hitting 50. His fractious fallout with Jonathan Walters and Harry Arter towards the end of his spell as Martin O’Neill’s assistant remains in the ether but the squad is unrecognisable in personnel since 2018.
A steady, rather than spectacular pair of hands, who from the Euro ’88 squad went on to compete with Mick McCarthy as the most successful graduate from the panel who migrated into management. Solid experience and currently managing Ghana.
A short-lived stint at Nottingham Forest was a disaster and age isn’t on the side of the 64 year old.
Has the stock and now the visible passion to be backed by fans, employers and players alike. Shelbourne under Duff have been resurrected over his two-year reign.
Like Kenny, only has League of Ireland experience on his CV. He may prefer to await the next turn.
The leftfield contender made an average Greece side dominate Ireland over 180 minutes in two resounding victories. Finished the campaign by taking points off France and is due to take Greece into the March Euro playoffs. A force of nature who has declared his interest.
Not many but was the incentive to link himself with the upcoming vacancy designed to show he’s available to suitors or earn a pay-rise from his Greek overlords?
Born in Ireland and has spoken of his affinity to the job previously, not least because of the abuse he received while representing Northern Ireland. Didn’t take long to veer into management after playing and his two spells at Celtic delivered trophies and Champions League memories. A reunion with Duff as his assistant would be a bonus.
Managerial career soured midway into Celtic return and his time at Cypriot club Omonia last year lasted a mere six months. Rivals Keano for having a short fuse, even on the sideline.
(1) Lee Carsley
(2) Chris Hughton
(3) Roy Keane
(4) Gus Poyet
(5) Neil Lennon
(6) Damien Duff.
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