John O’Shea, the interim head coach for Ireland, emphasised the need for the Irish team to maintain versatility in their play. O’Shea insisted that the team must master multiple strategies, not just defending from the back. They need to be able to change tactics when necessary, fight hard in challenging situations, and transform their gameplay as required. It’s about striking a balance, he suggested.
Marc Canham, the FAI’s director of football and O’Shea’s cohort, concurred. Canham highlighted the current position of the Irish team in the rankings. Given their status, he noted a constant among opponents; some will have superior rankings and others, inferior. Therefore, he argued, the team needs a gameplay framework that can be adjusted accordingly. The importance of being adaptable when facing diverse teams was underscored, as they aim to climb the rankings and maximise their qualification chances.
Upon listening to this, one might question the tangible essence of these statements. Does it not plainly outline the basic principle of any football match – the ebb and flow between teams of different strengths? This echoes a universal axiom in the football world and is not exclusive to Ireland.
Interpreting Canham’s input reveals an implicit acknowledgment; the FAI has abandoned its previously declared commitment to “progressive” football, a term often used by Stephen Kenny. The focus has shifted to performance outcomes, and the new manager will be appraised based on them.
Jonathan Hill, the CEO, expressed a key principle change in the FAI. He stressed the significance of the ongoing role of an Irishman at the helm of the nation’s coaching system when he announced Stephen Kenny’s contract extension in March 2022.
Stephen Bradley, the coach for Shamrock Rovers, strongly asserted recently that Ireland is teeming with world-class coaching talents and stressed the importance of understanding what the Irish public wants from their game. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI), however, has an open-minded stance on the matter. Yesterday, Canham from the FAI stated that while possessing an Irish connection and being Irish significantly enhances a coach’s profile, it isn’t a rigid requirement.
John O’Shea, Ireland’s third most capped player, is a potential candidate who genuinely yearns for the job and is convinced he is suitable for it. At the age of 42, O’Shea admitted that he has envisioned an opportunity like this since his late twenties, and he has already earned the fans’ admiration and respect.
However, Canham insinuated that a permanent managerial appointment has been made and that only current contract obligations is preventing him from revealing the new manager’s identity until the early part of April. This peculiar timing may suggest that the candidate’s existing workload might lighten after the international window scheduled for late March.
Speculation leans towards two key contenders, Lee Carsley and Anthony Barry. Both individuals will be occupied with national commitments during the March window. Carsley is overseeing England’s under-21s in Euro qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg. His team, which delivered a resounding 9-1 victory over Serbia in last October’s home qualifier, is in the process of qualifying for the 2025 Under-21 Euros.
Meanwhile, Barry, who is working with Thomas Tuchel at FC Bayern and will be engaging with Portugal for friendly matches against Sweden and Slovenia, could be looking for new opportunities from June as Tuchel is set to exit from the Bavarian team at the end of the season unless he faces an early dismissal. Portugal, showcasing an impressive record post-Qatar World Cup, is expected to be a strong contender in the Euros taking place in Germany.
In the interim, O’Shea will lead a star-studded provisional team, with Paddy McCarthy, Glenn Whelan, and Brian Kerr onboard. Kerr, a prominent figure in Irish football, has been appointed in a consultative capacity and his inclusion appears to have been suggested by Canham and approved by O’Shea. The former Irish national manager, who enjoyed success with O’Shea in the Under-16 European Championships back in 1998, is seen as a crucial addition to the team.
This move marks the end of Kerr’s nearly two-decade alienation from international football, instigated by an authoritative figure who once controlled the association. Now, at the age of 71, Kerr outlives his adversary, rejoining the international football scene a year before Bobby Robson when he took on the advisor role to Steve Staunton in 2006. His return can be seen as some sort of recompense for a past grave unjust act. Furthermore, as far as FAI is concerned, Kerr’s absence from the weekly international critique on Virgin comes as a welcomed relief.