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O'Neill May Not Be Shoo-In For Ireland Job
Monday, 23rd Sep 2013 11:31

Martin O’Neill might not be quite the “shoo-in” for the Republic of Ireland manager's job that Blues boss Mick McCarthy believes, according to reports in Ireland this morning.

The Irish Independent says the FAI have conducted background checks through intermediaries and question marks have been raised about O’Neill’s disappointing spell at Sunderland, the only period of his career where his former Nottingham Forest team-mate John Robertson wasn’t working with him as his assistant.

Robertson, 60, suffered a heart attack last month and although recovering is thought unlikely to join O’Neill should the Northern Irishman be appointed to the position vacated by Giovanni Trapattoni earlier in the month. Former Scotland international Robertson took charge of training at the clubs where the pair worked together, while O’Neill is viewed more as a motivator than a hands-on coach.

An FAI source is reported to have made no comment on O’Neill, but to have said that two of the alternative candidates — ex-Blues boss Roy Keane and current manager McCarthy — would not receive universal backing if O’Neill were to be overlooked: "Neither Mick nor Roy will carry unanimous board support, although that isn't crucial."

An immediate appointment seems unlikely — U21s boss Noel King has been tipped for a caretaker role — with suggestions that the FAI might convene a committee to choose the new manager as they have done in similar situations previously.

Speaking on Friday, McCarthy was still confident that O’Neill would be the man appointed. Asked when the matter would be put to bed he said: “It is in bed, as far as I’m concerned. Flog me if I’m wrong.

“It’s just making a nice, comfortable period of time so it all goes past and they’ve had their meetings and they’ve done it properly and it wasn’t absolutely shooed in.”


Photo: Action Images



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JimmyJazz added 11:55 - Sep 23
Well if they have doubts about O'Neill, how big would the doubts be about Keane? Which just leaves one man standing
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Michael11 added 12:04 - Sep 23
Don't care who gets the Ireland job, just hope it's not Mick. I'm sure Mick has to be Plan B though as he's already done the job very well in the past. The last thing we need is to lose him.
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Mark added 12:19 - Sep 23
This certainly hasn't gone away with Mick still 10/1 second favourite and refusing to rule himself out, which implies he might take it if offered.

So, O'Neill is viewed more as a motivator than a hands-on coach. Would anyone on here view Keane as a motivator? He didn't do much hands on coaching either, did he?!

Here's hoping O'Neill gets the job.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 12:29 - Sep 23
MM hasn't ruled himself out yet, watch this space.
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bluefeast added 12:30 - Sep 23
I don't mind who gets it , if its MM then much would of been learned by his appointment as to the type of manager we need. There are plenty of possible candidates for us and personally I wouldn't look to far past Bryan Klug ,who I feel would be fantastic.
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Tractorog added 12:34 - Sep 23
in my opinion it was outrageous and unprofessional for the FAI to mention Mick. Now they are making it worse by dragging their heels and the longer this goes on the more in will unsettle the team. ME should sue them.
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bluehert added 13:33 - Sep 23
FAI mentioning McCarthy suggests he's told them he'd like to be considered. Maybe part of the delay in announcing is to give Town some time to identify a quick replacement?
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spanishblue added 13:52 - Sep 23
Time to start chewing finger nails I can remember 12 months ago chaos an could,nt care less that was the management please don,t go mick
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mason76 added 15:06 - Sep 23
I would have thought an international job would be far more about motivating than coaching anyway given the short time they are with them?
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Juggsy added 15:35 - Sep 23
I find it hard to believe that Mick McCarthy took a job at then rock-bottom Ipswich with the prospect of zero ££ being made available to spend in the transfer window and few saleable assets. If he goes, would it be because Marcus Evans hasn't backed him financially?
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smellmycheese added 15:37 - Sep 23
Please take it Mick.
Nothing whatsoever wrong with you as a man. Seem like a very decent guy with good sense of humour.
But you suit this club about as well as gravy goes on trifle.
Watched us beat Yeovil last Tuesday and came away for the first time ever in my life after a win feeling completely and utterly dejected. What an utterly dire brand of football you have created. Just so devoid of any flair, any excitement. Yes, we are going to win the odd game here and there by strangling the life out of the opposition but I for one would rather have a go and go down fighting rather than watch this diabolical dour football.
The crowds tell the story and the fact the Sky cameras never come also tell the story. A very boring prospect to watch this for another couple of years. Please take the Irish job Mick.
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Michael11 added 15:52 - Sep 23
@smellmycheese

And who do you suggests replace Mick if he goes then?
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bigolconnor added 16:12 - Sep 23
I really like MM, but if he goes he would take Terry Connor with him. That would be a real shame.
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Keaneish added 16:20 - Sep 23
Really smellmycheese!? That was the first time...
You must have been to a game in the last 6 years?

I think we've played well in spells on every game I've seen this season. Better, tight controlled football than anything we've had at PR for a long time. The attendances are due to the pricing, not the football in my opinion.
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thebeat added 16:22 - Sep 23
Lets not panic.If Mick goes id like to see Poyet given the job with Tarrico back here.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:27 - Sep 23
DONT jump ship Mick PLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZ.TOWN need you at the helm ,We are at the start of a new era, and you's the daddy .
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Hegansheroes added 17:06 - Sep 23
mellmycheese-could not agree more apart from MM sense of humour which I find banal and boring just like any team he has managed. He is playing football from the dark ages, hoof it up to the inept Murphy, clatter the goal keeper, put it in row Z. God ITFC's football had moved on from that 55 years ago apart from the last years under ME. McCarthy was an average player of the old school, his management record is not great and his tactics are appalling as are his transfer dealings and squad selection. JET albeit at a lower level now has 7 goals but he has been given the freedom to shoot at will and is producing. Who got the better end of that deal??? I will be more than happy if McCarthy is given the job with Eire. Come on , now give me some stick. I am a supporter of ITFC but doubt I will see many games under the present regime. Give the job to Tarrico and Poyet if they could be persuaded to come.
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Seasider added 17:14 - Sep 23
If Doncaster can get a striker on loan from Man Utd (Macheda)and Birmingham can get one who scores 4 goals in first game,then why cant Mick get one who could have won us the game on Sunday(I am not happy with either of our gk's also)
I hope it isn't because Marcus Evans wont even let him bring in a loanee.

I think Evans has been a disaster for Ipswich Town,he has doubled debt(to him)
and at last having chosen a decent Manager isn't giving him any funds to spend on players.Plus the ticket fiasco.

These actions are as good as pushing Mick into the arms of Eire.
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jas0999 added 17:35 - Sep 23
Although an opinion not shared by all on here, the reality is IMO, MM hasn't received the same backing as RK and PJ. Mick must have been promised money - otherwise he wouldn't have come here. This Summer was all about no spending and free transfers. Although all signings receive a wage - we also off-loaded our three highest earners. To spend just £20k - when others spent more - is very poor indeed. MM isn't an idiot; he will know he needs a striker and a Goal-keeper - probably an attacking midfield player; but he also knows that ME won't back him. Therefore if he gets offered the Eire job, who could actually blame him if he left?

As I said, I know this opinion isn't shared by the majority on here.
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DurhamTownFan added 17:59 - Sep 23
If MM was winning 4 games out of 5, and we were up there in the mix, his style wouldn't be questioned. Fact is, we're not dominating, and so people are entitled to their opinions. It is WAY too early to start declaring that his management isn't going to work for us, and face it guys, we should be content with a little stability (stagnation?) after the dross served up by Keane and Jewell.

That said, I don't think MM's chances of getting the Ireland job are really that high anyway. There are other more high profile candidates, and it could easily be viewed as a step backwards if they appoint him. I think he'd almost certainly take it, as its a far more glamorous job than managing Ipswich as we are at present, but in my mind, he's a long way off O'Neill (even if O'N did manage the budgies in years gone by)
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bournemouthblue added 18:14 - Sep 23
You'd have to laugh if they went for Roy Keane given their history together
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BuckieBlue added 18:19 - Sep 23
The FAI are surprisingly open about their dealings, but having admitted that MM wouldn't be the choice of them all, surely that would, to some extent, put MM off?
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blue_moon09 added 18:30 - Sep 23
Who cares, yet another non story zzzzzzz
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toforoge added 18:47 - Sep 23
Micks get out clause ran out in the summer. but might have gentlemans agreement with Mr chairman ? He would take the job if offered though as if he didn't want he would declare him self unavailable like some other managers. Just the original clause shows how much he wants job and is ready for it anytime. Martin Oneill can be unpredictable. erm ??? !0-1 at Victor with free £25 match bet. £500 quid if he goes soften the blow a bit. any advice not got great deal of spare cash but considering.
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carloss added 18:53 - Sep 23
Don't really care about the paddy job, or who gets it, if Mick goes he goes we may then get a manager in who can see we need another fookin striker.
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