Séamus Coleman, while sitting next to John O’Shea, backed the provisional leader for permanent management of the team before England’s game in Dublin on September 7th. Coleman articulated the dedication for his nation the temporary leader has shown, by mentioning his interaction with the younger players and the meticulousness in preparations.
“He exhibits a strong sense of national pride, as evidenced through his playing years, and as players, our obligation is to put in a 100% to win for Ireland regardless of the obstacles. The gentleman next to me, in my view, is as qualified for the job as any other person. My regard for him is immense, as a human being, a mentor, and a team manager,” said Coleman.
Meanwhile, the Croatian newspaper Germanijak has reported that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has proposed the managerial position to Slaven Bilić, though it is believed that Bilić may favour a return to the Turkish club Beşiktaş rather than adopting the more tempered lifestyle of international management.
Ireland’s upcoming match against Sweden brings potential selection quandaries for Eileen Gleeson, as the team has struggled versus top-ranking teams. According to the Croatian newspaper, the FAI is ready to wait for Bilić’s response as an offer has been extended.
The question was raised to Coleman regarding the possible challenges the next Irish manager may face preparing for a Nations League campaign against England, Finland, and Greece if appointed post-Euro 2024.
Coleman responded, “Admittedly, it’s a peculiar position we are in right now. Over the past several years at Everton, I’ve experienced numerous manager changes at the club level. We grow resilient, albeit it’s not always ideal. In such games, if we can achieve positive results and support the current manager, ultimately, all else is beyond my control.”
Whenever I, or my mates, don the green jersey, there’s no denying that there exists a certain self-respect and a deep-rooted resolve that evokes an immense love for our nation. This spirit drives us to always give our best, preparing for and aiming to win each game we play. In the foreseeable future, we will see what fruits our efforts bring. As it stands, our attention is concentrated on the forthcoming encounters with Hungary and Portugal. We remain hopeful that the next two matches will yield positive results under our gaffer’s guidance.