No insult intended towards our guests, for whom the majority of us likely have no strong feelings. A friendly late in March, hosted against Switzerland on the dreariest, bitterly cold evening, where there’s nothing to be achieved, with our next significant match not happening until September, does not, in general, incite great anticipation.
However, this game suddenly took on an air of significance as it was reputed by those in the know to be John O’Shea’s final trial run for taking on the Republic of Ireland manager role in a full-time capacity. The Football Association of Ireland had previously indicated that his interim period would be limited to this international window. Following this period, they would express their gratitude for his contribution and bid him farewell.
Subsequently, they would choose someone from a list of potential candidates including Jürgen Klopp, Rafa Benitez, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Neil Warnock, Roy Hodgson, Harry Redknapp, Sam Allardyce, Phil Neville, Anthony Hudson, Damien Duff, Gus Poyet, Robbie Keane, Willy Sagnol, Vera Pauw, Anthony Barry, Slaven Bilic, Paul Clement, Chris Hughton, Roy Keane, Michael O’Neill, Steve Bruce, Hervé Renard, Leo Varadkar, Janne Andersson. Lee Carsley could even be considered if he has a change of heart. The entire process thus appears relatively smooth.
As Tommy Martin, who introduced Virgin Media’s game coverage, stated, “The second and final match for this administration… so we believe”, it seems no one is really certain of how this managerial search will unfold.
While some might find that intolerable, it was not nearly as bad as Tommy proclaiming that “the Swiss are swooping into town,” this back-to-back match-up with them and Belgium has been dubbed “chocolate-flavoured”, and Mick McCarthy and Damien Delaney are our “sweet surprises in the studio”. Neither Mick nor Damien seemed to know how to react to that.
Tommy led us to the Euro qualifying penalty shoot-out between Georgia and Greece, with the likelihood of the losing team’s manager – Sagnol or Poyet – becoming a potential candidate for the Irish role due to their impending unemployment. To this, Mick and Damien seemed somewhat dejected as if we’re resigned to accepting reject candidates from other nations, which, unfortunately, we sort of are.
Georgia emerged victorious. “This reminds me of an Ulster final in Clones,” remarked Tommy as we observed the jubilations in Tbilisi, implying that Poyet of Greece is likely en route to unemployment. But there was a twist. “Roberto Di Matteo has been seen in Jonathan Hill’s company, the CEO of FAI,” informed Tommy, leaving viewers in need of a rest.
Tommy posed a question – “Would it really be so bad to consider John O’Shea?” Mick was quite keen on the idea, advocating for O’Shea’s two-year tenure. Damien was in agreement. “He looks ready to manage, I wouldn’t object to him taking the role.” But the crucial question remained – how would the final trial go?
Everything seemed relatively fine until Xherdan Shaqiri netted a free-kick into Gavin Bazunu’s corner. Old memories of Brian Kerr seemed to have returned. Remember?
“Isn’t he the most oddly shaped player in the Premier League? He resembles a gentleman you might spot outside the pub on a Sunday morning with his boots packed, wondering where he’s playing that day, until a white van pulls over to pick him up. He’s diminutive and slightly pudgy, roughly 5ft3in, with broad hips – although that’s being lenient – and his jersey appears snug on him. If he resided in Dublin, he’d be dubbed a ‘Barreller’.”
Half-time: Ireland 0, Barreller 1.
Mick and Damien were in a sombre mood. Damien commented that they have done extraordinarily well to hold on at 0-1, believing Sheasie had to demonstrate his managerial prowess make the necessary strategic adjustments to prevent the Swiss from entirely dominating the second half. If not, he’d be pledging his loyalty to Di Matteo. Though unspoken, the uncertainty of finding a suitable manager has been so dynamic, very little can catch you off guard now.
In the following half, Sheasie’s team conjured up valiant efforts, but were unsuccessful in rattling the Swiss defence, losing the ecstasy of the preceding 0-0 victory over Belgium in the process.
Yet, when the match concluded, the potential candidates for managerial role had narrowed down. These included Sheasie, Klopp, Benitez, Solskjaer, Warnock, Hodgson, Redknapp, Allardyce, Neville, Hudson, Duff, Poyet, Robbie, Pauw, Barry, Bilic, Clement, Hughton, Roy, O’Neill, Bruce, Renard, Varadkar and Andersson. Meanwhile, Carsley has not ruled out a u-turn.
As for Sagnol? He’s likely off the table, as he’s pursuing bigger ambitions. Regarding us? We’re yet facing hurdles, still finding our footing in international football.