McCarthy Again Linked With Ireland Return
Sunday, 8th Sep 2013 21:40

The Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 home defeat to Sweden in Friday’s World Cup qualifier has led to renewed speculation that Giovanni Trapattoni’s reign might be coming to an end with Blues boss Mick McCarthy inevitably amongst those said to be in the running to succeed him.

Former Irish international centre-half McCarthy was previously in charge of Ireland for more than five years from 1996 and took them to the second round of the 2002 World Cup where they lost on penalties to Spain.

According to the bookies, the Town manager is the 7-1 second favourite to replace the Italian, who has been in charge since 2008, with the currently-out-of-work Martin O’Neill ahead of him at 2-1. Former Town manager Roy Keane is at 10-1.

Trapattoni, who appears to have no intention of resigning, is contracted to the FAI until after the 2014 World Cup but with qualification increasingly unlikely has been under pressure for some while.

McCarthy was previously tipped for a return to his old job before he joined Town last November, although he dismissed the links: “There were all sorts of stories that I’ve been tapped up and I’ve spoken to them, but it was barefaced lies. Nothing in it at all.”

However, he added that he could be interested in returning to the role at some point in the future should it become vacant: “I’d go back, but when it’s right, when it’s available. I’m not trying to add pressure on to anybody else.”

Soon after McCarthy took over at Portman Road it was reported that his contract included a clause which would allow him to exit Town if the FAI wanted him at the end of 2012/13 campaign without the Blues receiving any compensation, claims the Town boss played down: “I don’t discuss my contract, so where those stories come from I don’t know.”

It’s now reported that the clause expired at the end of August and that the FAI — whose finances are tight - would have to pay what is likely to be significant recompense to Town if they were to make a move for McCarthy.

Meanwhile, the Blues' only other mention in Sunday's tabloids was essentially a rerun of the unlikely Billy Sharp story from earlier in the week.

Photo: Action Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1
2

shefkuqi32 added 22:05 - Sep 8 On a different note, Owen Garvan has been left out of Palace's 25 man squad...please bring him back on loan, one of my all time favourite players along with the big man himself.
0

Robbie12345 added 22:15 - Sep 8 Lets just hope this is just a media link.. Or we are in real trouble if Mick gives up on us, as we won't be getting a better manager anytime soon. Although, at his previous clubs he has been loyal and leaving will damage his reputation.. Fingers and everything crossed!!
0

martleshamitfc added 22:17 - Sep 8 Cannot see him going back.... fingers,legs and anything else I can manage crossed!!
0

itfc94 added 22:20 - Sep 8 TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY TERRY CONNOR
0

Marcus added 22:24 - Sep 8 martleshamitfc - no need to get yourself into a knot over paper talk.
0

miltonsnephew added 22:50 - Sep 8 On another note! Bobby Petta played well in the Stiliyan Petrov Celtic game today!!! Only 39 and he's still playing!!
0

riley26 added 22:50 - Sep 8 Would happily have Garvan back, one of those players who is better than he looks, appears slow at times but as the ability to pick out killer passes, something we lack.
0

miltonsnephew added 22:50 - Sep 8 And could be a missing link to our left sided winger!!!
0

RetroBlue added 23:20 - Sep 8

Do you know what? I don't actually give a stuff anymore. If MM does go onto International managership again good luck to him . Town will find a replacement.f
Football as a spectator sport has lost it connection to the real fan base years ago and Sky money killed the game years ago. Domestic foottball ceased being a level playing and the uncertainty in the game has been replaced by a boring inevitability that only 3 or 4 clubs will ever win anything each year, and played / managers will move on to pastures new usually because the money isn't being offered in one capacity or another where they currently are.

What a sad stae affairs the game has now become. And this is my view of the game looking at the wide state of it from the speculation surrounding Mick McCarthy.

BlueinBrum added 23:26 - Sep 8 On
0

BlueinBrum added 23:28 - Sep 8 On another note - is that an Adidas top with the ITFC logo on it?
0

Lightningboy added 23:36 - Sep 8 ^^it is an adidas top..what's that all about then?
0

TedTurnip added 23:50 - Sep 8 Whoever manages, 12th is the best we can hope for until some finance is released for buying players.
0

smellmycheese added 01:19 - Sep 9 Ta Ta Mick. You made us solid but you also made oh so f..king boring. Should have taken Holloway like many of us said back then
0

Mr_Evans added 02:53 - Sep 9 The reason for the Adidas benchwear was due to Mitre c*cking up. Pre-season and for the first two games the players and staff used temporary Adidas gear until Mitre delivered theirs. This is also Mitres last year as kit suppliers and town have already held talks with Nike and Adidas amongst others.
0

BrettenhamBlue added 04:32 - Sep 9 At 2-1 you would expect Martin O'Neill to take over albeit some kind of disaster.....
0

Hegansheroes added 07:02 - Sep 9

Well said Smellycheese,. This could be the ideal scenario, ME gets compensation for MM rather than sacking him & paying compensation, we get rid of the most boring man & tactician in football and MM will be a big man again so will be doing more of hit inane interviews.
Agree with Retroblue as well, it's a long time since the halcyon days with the eccentric Cobbold family at the helm and this can never return because football is now just business which is why ME bought ITFC

JimmyJazz added 08:07 - Sep 9 So how long is MM's contract anyway? Another 2 years?
0

HarryfromBath added 09:33 - Sep 9

I would be devastated if we were to lose Mick. Mick saved this team from a relegation which would have set us back five years had it happened. His tactics may appear unsophisticated, but he works to a plan both on the field and in the long term. I will never forget the chaos we witnessed under his predecessor.

I hope that Phil can shed some light on the now redundant escape clause. My guess is that it would have been included in case the mess he inherited was too great to resolve and we were relegated. He said that he would have left in any case if we had gone down.

This will all hopefully be redundant in any case. I am from Dublin, and know from experience that the Football Association of Ireland are quixotic at best in their decision making. All the talk over there is of Martin O'Neill, but David O'Leary or Tony Pulis could just as randomly get the post.

Walk_the_Wark added 10:34 - Sep 9 Smelly cheese- couldn't agree more! Hope Mick goes. Get Poyet- choose football!!
0

AlexanderFields added 10:34 - Sep 9 You are spot on, RetroBlue.
0

TurinBlue added 11:10 - Sep 9 I agree with Harry. Method and discipline were sadly lacking when MM took over. Any flair disappeared over 10 years ago and we may never see it again unless the academy actively encourages it. I have much sympathy with Retro's point of view but optimism (probably unwarranted) still kicks in from time to time.
0