Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane Backers

Copper_pipe · November 21, 2018, 10:44am

O’Neill, who was first appointed to the position on November 5, 2013, most recently led the Republic of Ireland team to a draw away to Denmark in the final game of the new UEFA Nations League.

The management team of Roy Keane (assistant manager), Seamus McDonagh (goalkeeping coach), and Steve Guppy (assistant coach) have also parted company with the FAI.

O’Neill oversaw 55 games for Ireland during a five-year period and enjoyed unforgettable wins over World Champions Germany, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Italy, Austria and Wales. He ran the best EUROs campaign in Ireland’s history and followed that by making it out of a tough group to reach the play-offs for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

He used 65 players in that time, giving 28 of them their first senior caps.

FAI President Donal Conway said: “On behalf of the FAI Board, I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for their work with the Republic of Ireland team over the last five years.

“Martin ensured that we enjoyed some great nights in the Aviva Stadium and on the road in Lille, Vienna, and Cardiff, which were fantastic high points for Irish football.”

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney paid tribute to O’Neill by saying: “I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for the impact that they had with the Ireland team. There have been many highlights during Martin’s reign – none more so than EURO 2016 in France, which will live long in the memory of all Irish supporters.

“Martin did a great job guiding the team out of a difficult qualifying group – where we beat World Champions Germany along the way – to reach EURO 2016 and advance to the Last-16 following a historic victory over Italy in Lille.

“I wish Martin, and the management team, the very best for the future.”

The FAI Board will meet promptly to discuss the process of recruiting a new manager.

farmerinthecity · November 21, 2018, 10:44am

Big Mick is such a gentleman that he would go back to the scene of his shafting in 2002.

Ashman · November 21, 2018, 10:45am

Is that MON finished with football management ?

the_man_himself · November 21, 2018, 10:46am

He’d probably still do a decent job in the championship for half a season until the players realise he hasn’t a clue

farmerinthecity · November 21, 2018, 10:47am

Hopefully the selfless philanthropist Denis O’Brien can find money to fund a good replacement.

Cicero_Dandi · November 21, 2018, 10:48am

I think people are deluding themselves if they feel there is more to this side. It’s an utterly shit group of footballers.

anon32894817 · November 21, 2018, 10:49am

Footballers is being polite to that lot. Lads thinking we can play a good brand off football o neill was getting the most out of them.

Your_Mums_Athletic · November 21, 2018, 10:50am

The most out of them??? Are you for real. They are akin to Gibraltar the tactics they are using.

anon32894817 · November 21, 2018, 10:51am

They weren’t really mate at all that’s hyperbole. If Daryl Murphy hadnt missed a sitter against the Danes we’d have gone to the World Cup.

farmerinthecity · November 21, 2018, 10:52am

I am hearing talk of Stephen Kenny.

Surely not?

Cicero_Dandi · November 21, 2018, 10:53am

Did Gibraltar qualify for a major championship or come close?

Your_Mums_Athletic · November 21, 2018, 10:56am

The quality at international football is so poor these days it is almost harder not to qualify. I think the basics of trying to play football with some possession is not much to ask. He was a bluffer of a manager who talked about his successes. The only success he had was in Disneyland in a two team league. He and Keane were septic for squad morale and it led to way more problems than it should. We may not be top notch but we are better than this.

anon32894817 · November 21, 2018, 10:58am

I think your in dream land as to the capabilities of our players.

croppy_boy · November 21, 2018, 10:59am

Doubtful, if Delaney wants to keep his job he needs someone that will give a good chance of improving ticket sales and play a decent brand of ball - that rules out Moyes, Allardyce, Bruce and Kerr.

If we’re thinking outside the box they should see if that utter utter cutn Denis O’Brien would finance a move for Wenger.

anon32894817 · November 21, 2018, 10:59am

After Euro 2016 you’d have hoped Coleman, mccarthy, Hendrick and Brady would be the core of the side but for various reasons they’ve barely played or turned to absolute shit. I feel sorry for o neill.

Your_Mums_Athletic · November 21, 2018, 11:01am

I am not mate, I think they are better than O’Neill has allowed, the morale is so low due to him and Keane and it is something we have always used.

the_man_himself · November 21, 2018, 11:01am

I don’t care about possession, although a small bit more would be nice. Its the fact that he doesn’t know how to set up a team to play long ball that annoys me. He leaves one man up front and gets nobody up around him. Limited teams can get results way above their ability through having a plan especially at international football. Sweden would be a good example of this

farmerinthecity · November 21, 2018, 11:01am

@briantinnion

Little_Lord_Fauntleroy · November 21, 2018, 11:01am

Piles_Hussain · November 21, 2018, 11:01am

No question mate but even shit players can be organised in a way so as to reduce their collective shitness.
O’Neill hasn’t organised an irish team any way well at all since Vienna. He’s been phoning it in for a good while now and despire the lack of players and the fact that the role is massively unappealing his leaving is a good thing.