https://www.starsandstripesfc.com/2...t-rumor-michael-oneill-coach-northern-ireland I know a couple weeks back I read he was interested. According to Ian Darke, the feeling is mutual. I've not seen many of the games. So not familiar with the tactics of team building he does. Any one more familiar with more information would be great. Would this be the kind of hire that makes sense?
This World Cup cycle seems to have several managers that have shown to do more with less. NI’s O’Neill, Coleman of Wales, the coach of Iceland. I may have missed more. Of these, O’Neill is the one I consistently hear as the one whose skill set may transition other situations whether it be other national setups or club teams. Because of that, I believe his shop window time will be brief and may force US’s hand one way or other.
I only have experience watching N. Ireland in the recent WC playoffs, but they seemed pretty much to play in the old school British style--stay compact defensively, get stuck in on challenges, and pump hopeful balls into the penalty area for offense. Maybe O'Neill has more to his game than that, but based on what I saw, I'd be pretty opposed to him. He seems more suited to a team fighting relegation in the EPL than a mediocre national team with aspirations of being more than that.
If we want someone who's going to play 2 banks of 4 and play hoofball and park the bus against anyone who might be better than us, then why not save the money and hire Dominic Kinnear. We can do better.
The next coach is the most important in our program's history. Choose poorly, we miss consecutive WC's. Also of note, the 4th place playoff will be vs CONMEBOL next cycle so we better finish top 3. And most teams will not look at us as a CONCACAF giant. No, they'll hack the shit out of Pulisic and think they can get 1-3 points off us. And where are these leaks coming from? Sunil has zero business considering who our next coach is.
We are going to go from talent-poor to talent-rich pretty quickly, at least in some areas. So I wouldn't understand this hire at all. And MLS would despise this, as this guy has no club experience outside of Ireland.
So this may be more of a I'm on the fence on this. I can see positives and negatives. I think you have to sit down, know where you want to go and find someone to lead the team first. The technical director has more on his/her plate and would be okay if they come after the coach. But the vision has to be the same. So I think you can do either.
It is just amazing how we all here have common sense solutions, but our Federation doesn't. I'm even more amazed that Sunil was not forced to resign. It should have happened same day or next day. Then FOX Sports hires Bruce to analyze game, are you f*cking serious. Then Lalas and Co. take it easy on him. He says that no players are being left behind, seriously, Panchito next door is better than most current players, how come he is not in the youth national team setup.