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Who’s next? THE sight of 16,000 empty seats at Croke
Park as the Republic of Ireland lumbered to a draw with Cyprus last week
helped seal the fate of Steve Staunton.
And it means that whoever takes over as Republic of Ireland manager will
have to be someone the Irish fans and not just the FAI like — a
glamorous name with a proven track record to give the fans something to
feel optimistic about.
That scenario is likely to count against the bookies’ early choice
for the job, David O’Leary.
The Dubliner has been installed as 5/4 favourite for the job but despite
being responsible for one of the greatest moments in Irish soccer history,
when he scored the decisive penalty against Romania in Italia ’90,
O’Leary is not an overly-popular choice with the fans and that could
count against him as the FAI look to rebuild supporter morale after the
Staunton era.
Roy Keane is the other Irish name being heavily linked with the job but
the Sunderland manager was quick to rule himself out this week, something
which O’Leary was reluctant to do, saying only that: “I don’t
want to say anything because a former colleague of mine is in the job
but I have been following the situation closely.”
John Aldridge is second favourite in most bookmakers’ lists, currently
trading at 8/1. He has stated in the past he would be interested in managing
Ireland but hasn’t managed a team since leaving Tranmere Rovers
in 2001.
Clear favourite among the fans in various polls is Aston Villa boss Martin
O’Neill but he is expected to be a leading candidate for the England
job should it become available.
It’s unlikely the Ulsterman will be taking charge of the Republic.
There has been clear resistance in the past to the idea of a European
manager taking charge but that has changed now with many fans looking
for a proven international manager such as Gus Hiddink to take charge.
And while it’s highly unlikely the Dutchman would be tempted to
take over, his compatriot Louis Van Gaal is 33/1. Birmingham boss Steve
Bruce is 16-1.
Perhaps the most intriguing name on bookies lists is that of former Liverpool
supremo Gerard Houllier, rated a 40/1 shot. His is a name that would certainly
garner a reaction but with Graeme Souness and Paul Jewell as third and
fourth favourites, it seems far likelier northern grit, rather than European
glitz, will be seen at Croke Park in the near future. |
