Ned Kelly
31-10-2007, 07:30
Desperately seeking international manager: Applications from candidates with a proven track record only please
(http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/dwindling-interest-in-country-values-1199687.html)
(http://www.independent.ie/)
By Liam Kelly
WANTED: New Soccer manager for the Republic of Ireland team.
Successful Applicant requirements:
(A) As a minimum, he must have a proven track record of managerial experience of top club level in England/Europe.
(B) Preferably have been an international team manager.
(C) Have a few medals and achievements on his CV as a player and/or manager.
(D) Be clear in his own mind how he wants to structure his team.
(E) Show consistency in approach to selecting players for squads and teams.
(F) Have a record of motivating average to good players so they knit together into a unit that can perform consistently to a level greater than the sum of its individual parts.
(G) Be prepared to organise the players into the type of spirit that is more accustomed to a club side and bring any big time Charlies to the realisation that they must earn their place in the team and not be in on reputation or past glories.
(H) Accept a two year contract that will not be discussed until after the culmination of the campaign for qualification for South Africa.
(I) Be able to do the job himself, and not rely on a "mentor" to justify his appointment.
(J) Bring a credible backroom team to the job.
Ironically, setting out the criteria for a replacement for Steve Staunton is the easy part.
It's far more difficult to see how the FAI can be trusted to deliver a manager that has credibility with the players and the public, given their performance over Staunton's appointment.
The flaws were inherent once John Delaney came to power and signalled the end of Brian Kerr's reign.
The word from the FAI was we needed the "passion" put back into the team, and ultimately it was heart and emotion rather than clear-sighted logic that ended with an untried manager at any level getting the pivotal role in Irish football.
It has cost the Association and fans dearly, and they are better off cutting their losses now before the situation worsens.
Money is central to everything the FAI achieves as custodians of Irish Soccer.
They derive their income from the fans who not only pay for tickets but indirectly contribute by buying expensive branded jerseys.
TV money also depends on the team having a market value with viewers.
Sponsors only want to associate with successful brands that have a positive relationship with the public.
The problem now is that public confidence has been eroded by the clumsy learning curve on which Staunton has embarked, courtesy of naive FAI leadership.
To an extent, it's the FAI choice that is more to blame than the former international stalwart whose ambitions overrode his abilities to manage.
Staunton might be a brilliant manager in 10 years time if somebody entrusts him with a club job, but he has shot his bolt with this one.
Sacking him would be expensive, but the cost to the FAI if they refuse to remove Staunton will be greater in the long run than if they agree a compensation deal now.
And then they must be prepared to pay a realistic wage to attract a manager of the highest calibre.
I would feel though, that first they need to organise a group of professional advisors to assess potential candidates.
The likes of John Giles and Liam Brady could be invited to have an input as part of a head-hunting panel, and possibly Alex Ferguson should be approached for his advice.
As for potential candidates, we know it's not an easy task, but it's certainly not impossible.
Martin O'Neill turned it down two years ago; David O'Leary also opted out and of course Alex Ferguson decided to stay on with Man United.
Frenchman Philippe Troussier, former manager of Japan, South Africa and Nigeria at the time was keen but didn't find favour.
Any job selection is a potential minefield, and you need a touch of luck, such as the weird FAI voting which resulted in Jack Charlton getting the Irish job in 1986.
Northern Ireland also got lucky with Lawrie Sanchez who raised the profile of a squad of no hopers before he took over Fulham, and Alex McLeish has maintained the impetus for Scotland that began under Walter Smith.
No doubt Dave O'Leary, John Aldridge, Frank Stapleton and Ronnie Whelan will figure in the speculation when the FAI and/or Staunton bite the bullet.
Each of these former Irish stars has managed, but O'Leary didn't get any of the jobs that were going once he became available from Aston Villa and Aldridge, Stapleton and Whelan have been out of management for some time.
Paul Jewell looks like he's set for Bolton but he could be an outside candidate, although the preference should be for a man who has done it at international level.
- Liam Kelly
the problem is that this country has not got great managers
the only successful managers
well when i mean success full actually got us some where were not natives from ireland
1) the great Jack Charlton got us from what we were (prity much the state we are now) toa great team that did brilliantly in 2 world cups and
2) mick McCarthy, he's english as a player he was useless but i have to admit he was an ok manager he managed the squad that came close to the 2002 world cup
what did brian carr or staunton do for the seniors
Carr got a european title under his belt but not in the senior games
thats were it counts
(http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/dwindling-interest-in-country-values-1199687.html)
(http://www.independent.ie/)
By Liam Kelly
WANTED: New Soccer manager for the Republic of Ireland team.
Successful Applicant requirements:
(A) As a minimum, he must have a proven track record of managerial experience of top club level in England/Europe.
(B) Preferably have been an international team manager.
(C) Have a few medals and achievements on his CV as a player and/or manager.
(D) Be clear in his own mind how he wants to structure his team.
(E) Show consistency in approach to selecting players for squads and teams.
(F) Have a record of motivating average to good players so they knit together into a unit that can perform consistently to a level greater than the sum of its individual parts.
(G) Be prepared to organise the players into the type of spirit that is more accustomed to a club side and bring any big time Charlies to the realisation that they must earn their place in the team and not be in on reputation or past glories.
(H) Accept a two year contract that will not be discussed until after the culmination of the campaign for qualification for South Africa.
(I) Be able to do the job himself, and not rely on a "mentor" to justify his appointment.
(J) Bring a credible backroom team to the job.
Ironically, setting out the criteria for a replacement for Steve Staunton is the easy part.
It's far more difficult to see how the FAI can be trusted to deliver a manager that has credibility with the players and the public, given their performance over Staunton's appointment.
The flaws were inherent once John Delaney came to power and signalled the end of Brian Kerr's reign.
The word from the FAI was we needed the "passion" put back into the team, and ultimately it was heart and emotion rather than clear-sighted logic that ended with an untried manager at any level getting the pivotal role in Irish football.
It has cost the Association and fans dearly, and they are better off cutting their losses now before the situation worsens.
Money is central to everything the FAI achieves as custodians of Irish Soccer.
They derive their income from the fans who not only pay for tickets but indirectly contribute by buying expensive branded jerseys.
TV money also depends on the team having a market value with viewers.
Sponsors only want to associate with successful brands that have a positive relationship with the public.
The problem now is that public confidence has been eroded by the clumsy learning curve on which Staunton has embarked, courtesy of naive FAI leadership.
To an extent, it's the FAI choice that is more to blame than the former international stalwart whose ambitions overrode his abilities to manage.
Staunton might be a brilliant manager in 10 years time if somebody entrusts him with a club job, but he has shot his bolt with this one.
Sacking him would be expensive, but the cost to the FAI if they refuse to remove Staunton will be greater in the long run than if they agree a compensation deal now.
And then they must be prepared to pay a realistic wage to attract a manager of the highest calibre.
I would feel though, that first they need to organise a group of professional advisors to assess potential candidates.
The likes of John Giles and Liam Brady could be invited to have an input as part of a head-hunting panel, and possibly Alex Ferguson should be approached for his advice.
As for potential candidates, we know it's not an easy task, but it's certainly not impossible.
Martin O'Neill turned it down two years ago; David O'Leary also opted out and of course Alex Ferguson decided to stay on with Man United.
Frenchman Philippe Troussier, former manager of Japan, South Africa and Nigeria at the time was keen but didn't find favour.
Any job selection is a potential minefield, and you need a touch of luck, such as the weird FAI voting which resulted in Jack Charlton getting the Irish job in 1986.
Northern Ireland also got lucky with Lawrie Sanchez who raised the profile of a squad of no hopers before he took over Fulham, and Alex McLeish has maintained the impetus for Scotland that began under Walter Smith.
No doubt Dave O'Leary, John Aldridge, Frank Stapleton and Ronnie Whelan will figure in the speculation when the FAI and/or Staunton bite the bullet.
Each of these former Irish stars has managed, but O'Leary didn't get any of the jobs that were going once he became available from Aston Villa and Aldridge, Stapleton and Whelan have been out of management for some time.
Paul Jewell looks like he's set for Bolton but he could be an outside candidate, although the preference should be for a man who has done it at international level.
- Liam Kelly
the problem is that this country has not got great managers
the only successful managers
well when i mean success full actually got us some where were not natives from ireland
1) the great Jack Charlton got us from what we were (prity much the state we are now) toa great team that did brilliantly in 2 world cups and
2) mick McCarthy, he's english as a player he was useless but i have to admit he was an ok manager he managed the squad that came close to the 2002 world cup
what did brian carr or staunton do for the seniors
Carr got a european title under his belt but not in the senior games
thats were it counts