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The contenders: From favourite to outsider
 With
punters and bookmakers playing what could be an extended guessing game,
david thorpe and ROB BRENNAN look at the runners and riders for the position
of manager of the Republic Of Ireland.
David O’Leary 3/1
Questions about the quality of his work at Leeds and Aston Villa abound.
Certainly has the best managerial CV of any Irish candidate.
Guiding Leeds to the Champions League semi-final was his major achievement
but what might be of more interest to the FAI could be the manner in which
a whole host of talented youngsters reached their full potential under
his watch at Leeds.
Main drawback is his lack of popularity among the fans and the air of
failure which has hung over him since he left Aston Villa.
Paul Jewell 14/1
His managerial career has been all about making silk purses from sows
ears and cynics might suggest that’s the task which faces the new
Ireland manager.
His work in making Wigan a minor Premiership force has been noted by shrewder
people than the FAI and he won’t be short of offers whether the
FAI come knocking or not.
Is a big character but lacks the big name recognition which Irish fans
crave and that could ultimately prove to be the main hindrance to him
taking charge of Ireland.
Graeme Souness 8/1
A former Rangers boss in charge of Ireland would have novelty value if
little else.
His managerial record is patchy but has coached in four countries, so
has the kind of wide-ranging experience the FAI want.
Souness’ record at his most recent clubs, Newcastle and Blackburn,
is lukewarm, and that could stand in his way.
Gerard Houllier 25/1
Is best known for his indifferent time in charge of Liverpool but has
redeemed himself by guiding Lyon to the French title.
Has international experience as Technical Director of the French FA and
knows the English game well.
Would capture the imagination and must have a serious chance.
John Aldridge 25/1
Would bring plenty of passion to the cause but hasn’t managed a
team since 2001. His time in charge of Tranmere contained enough bright
spots not to have him dismissed from the reckoning completely, but is
probably more of a fall-back plan.
Co Adriaanse 40/1
A veteran coach and manager, whose former clubs include Ajax and Willem
II, he is an unknown quantity but has a top quality CV in Holland.
Probably too much of an unknown to be serious contender and his failure
to win a Dutch title when in charge of Ajax will raise a few skeptical
eyebrows.
Is being linked with a host of jobs at present, the Irish job will probably
be a bit down his list of offers.
Omar Philippe Troussier 14/1
Has said he is interested in the job and has a solid CV as an international
manager, having coached Japan and South Africa in the World Cup finals.
Has also been in charge of a host of African nations.
Recently converted to Islam. The fact he lives in Morocco, and has never
worked in England will count against him.
Liam Brady 6/1
Has attracted rave reviews for his time as Arsenal youth director and
remains a high-profile figure in Ireland.
Has said he wants the job, but the fact that he hasn’t managed a
team for several years will count against him, as will his limited record
in management with Celtic.
Terry Venables 14/1
Currently England assistant manager, he could be out of a job soon. Has
name recognition and international management experience but may not be
popular with the fans. Also, it’s unlikely that he would want the
position.
Seems to attract controversy and the FAI certainly won’t find that
appealing.
Roy Hodgson 20-1
One of the darker horses, the Englishman has enjoyed a nomadic managerial
career which has taken in places as diverse as Malmo and Milan.
His principal attribute for the Ireland job is that he has guided Switzerland
to the European Championships and in his current job has improved the
Finland national team beyond all recognition.
Seems to prefer working with low-profile players and has struggled to
deal with superstars.
He won’t have that problem with Ireland. Hhas the CV but may not
have the big name recognition.
Steve Coppell 20/1
English — granny is Irish though...
Coppell has moved to quell speculation that he is interested in becoming
Republic of Ireland manager.
The Reading boss found his name thrust into the frame in the wake of a
television interview he gave, and admits he is partly to blame for the
recent raft of rumours, but denies he wants the job.
Otto Rehhagel 66/1
German Rehhagel is one of the most successful German managers ever.
He is currently manager of the Greece national football team, having led
them to a shock European Championship title in 2004.
Greece currently top their qualifying group having missed out on the 2006
Corld Cup. Rehhagel will be looking forward to the challenge of going
into the tournament as defending champions and it would be unthinkable
he would leave Greece for Ireland.
Martin Jol 6/1
Recently sacked as head coach of Tottenham Hotspur in the English FA Premier
League and has moved from 28-1 to 8-1 for the Ireland job.
Chris Hughton, his assistant at Spurs, has also been sacked and as a former
Irish international has knowledge of the Irish side — he worked
alongside Brian Kerr during his stint in charge.
He has a soft spot for Robbie Keane who has enjoyed a wonderful spell
under Jol and might be able to translate that to international football
where Keane has struggled of late.
Kenny Dalglish 33/1
Dalglish is one of only three people to have won the English League Championship
as a manager with two different clubs. He won the title with Blackburn
having signed a young Alan Shearer. But seven years after his departure
from Celtic, Dalglish has yet to make a return to management.
Legions of Irish Celtic and Liverpool fans would back him although has
admitted his allegiance lay in the blue half of Glasgow growing up!
Louis Van Gaal 50/1
Currently manager of AZ Alkmaar.
After a career as a football player for FC Antwerp, Sparta Rotterdam and
AZ Alkmaar, he
became an assistant-coach in 1986.
He was Ajax manager from 1991 until 1997 and experienced a very successful
tenure.
In 1997, he moved to FC Barcelona and helped the team win two league championships.
Despite this success, he came under criticism and quit the job three seasons
later and returned to the Netherlands to manage the Dutch national team
in preparation for the 2002 World Cup, for which the Dutch failed to qualify
thanks to a Jason McAteer goal and some other-worldly performances from
Roy Keane.
Steve Bruce 33/1
Gainfully employed at Birmingham. Unlikely to want to jeopardise that
and he is equally unlikely to be pursued by the FAI.
Joe Kinnear 40/1
“My CV is in with the FAI and they know I would be so proud to manage
my country,” Kinnear said.
Desperate to return to football, Kinnear
recently threw his hat into the ring for the vacant manager’s job
at Spurs following the sacking of Martin Jol.
Struggled at Nottingham Forest and has had health problems. Would he have
the backing of the Irish fans who want a big name?
ROY KEANE 40/1
Keane ruled himself out of Irish job on October 26.
And, unsurprisingly, the Sunderland manager is
not waiting for the FAI to pick up the phone and enquire about his interest
in replacing Steve
Staunton.
“After my relationship with the FAI, I think I’m the last
person they’ll be calling for advice,” he said. |
