Shay Given: I would like to see an Irishman get the manager's job

Given discusses the potential candidates for the role as well as Jim McGuinness' impact on his return to Donegal.

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given to launch their new Deliver At Home campaign, ahead of the UEFA Europa League Final. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Unfortunately for many of the Republic of Ireland’s former players, as the FAI's managerial search continues to rumble on, they will continue to be asked the same question.

“Who would I have as manager?” repeated Shay Given on Wednesday morning.

September is a long way away yet. That is the new deadline, set by the FAI’s director of football Marc Canham when he knew the original target of April for the new manager to be officially unveiled wouldn’t be met.

John O’Shea will endure his second spell as caretaker manager for the friendly double-header at home to Hungary and away to Portugal in June and it is hoped the new boss will be in place for Ireland’s UEFA Nations League opener against England on September 7 at the Aviva Stadium.

Given is surely one of a number of Ireland’s favourite sons that also hopes an appointment is made by then as it will allow him to discuss different talking points in the world of football.

Nonetheless, the Donegal native entertained the subject and provided his thoughts on the saga.

“There’s candidates out there of course but is there a name that everyone would be happy with it? Of course, not,” he continued, speaking in association with Just Eat ahead of the upcoming Europa League final in Dublin.

“That’s the nature of the job. Everyone’s got different opinions. Look at Robbie Keane, the job he’s doing, brilliant job.

“Damien Duff doing a brilliant job at Shelbourne, passionate about playing for his country, both of them. Roy Keane’s been mentioned. He’d be box office wouldn’t he if he came into Irish set-up as manager?

“Obviously Gus Poyet, the job he’s done in Greece. I would like to see an Irishman if I’m brutally honest. Marc Canham spoke about the manager overseeing the whole process, underage football and stuff, but we have to get back to gist of it.

“I think underage stuff in 2024 should be running a lot smoother than what it is, investment in grassroots, and the next generation should be there without whoever’s in charge.

“We’re miles behind other countries. Is that previous leadership problems, or current leadership?

"By the looks of things, we’re going to have a manager who is going to do straight in at the deep end and not have that preparation. For me that’s not ideal, no.

"And Packie (Bonner) is involved in the process but I feel for Packie as well because he’s in on a voluntary basis and he’s getting comments slung at him as well.

"From the chats I’ve had with Packie, he’s only trying to help and advise the best he can. Again it’s not down to him, there’s a board as well, there is a lot of different people and a lot of moving parts."

Curiously, one man initially didn't make the list outlined by Given above, even though he believes he would be the perfect choice.

“The only reason I haven’t mentioned him is because I know he took a step away from it,” says Given on his former international teammate Lee Carsley.

“He would have been the perfect candidate because of job he did with the (England) 21s. 40 something caps for Ireland, knows country inside out.

“Naturally, he would be obvious choice but his current situation doesn’t lend to that and maybe, I don’t know, what he’s been offered with a senior role – Gareth Southgate was the U21 manager before – has he been offered something maybe further down the road? I don’t know.

“He’s done an amazing job. People I speak to like Joleon Lescott – he was one of his coaches in the summer and lives nearby me here in Manchester - he says he’s unbelievable manager.

“He says the players are eating out of his hands. They want to run through walls for him, he’s a brilliant man to man manager, the players love him and he’s tactically brilliant as well. If you can get players buying into every word, you’re doing everything right.

“They (FAI) have said they’ll wait until September. Maybe it’s because of that, I don’t know. I understand he said timing wasn’t right for now, but maybe timing is right in September.

“Maybe that’s the masterplan. Maybe they've got a masterplan after all!”

Just Eat have produced a piece of video content titled Deliver At Home: Any ‘Given’ Wednesday which features Shay as you have never seen him before. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

One team close to Given’s heart that seems to have the perfect manager in charge is Donegal, who are currently basking in the glory of landing another Ulster football title under Jim McGuinness.

The Lifford man was working at Old Trafford for Arsenal’s decisive title clash against Manchester United when Donegal eventually emerged victorious over Armagh on penalties.

“I had one eye on the phone and it was hopping about the scores because it was a mad game,” he admits.

“I texted Jim after the game on Sunday, said 'well done, congratulations', it was a typical answer, he said we'll 'keep fighting, keep pushing'.

“I know Jim well, my sister's a Pilates teacher in Donegal and she does Pilates with Jim's wife, there's a real connection there.

“Message was 'thanks Shay, tough battle, delighted to get out alive'. That was after the game. He has that personality, persona, presence in Donegal and up and down the country.

“I'm not saying the good times are back as we'd like to win an All-Ireland but we're definitely back on the right road and he seems like the perfect fit.

“We talk about the Ireland manager situation but one guy, once you can lead a group of people and a group of men and a group of players to believe again, to get results....”