So is this the shortlist? B.Robson Troussier P.Reid K.Moran/Kidd? J.Aldridge K.Dalglish G.Graham Whats the bet Bryan Hamiliton nominates himself as one of the shortlist???!!?...Billy Bingham as his assistant!!!?... FAI set February deadline for new manager The FAI intend to have the new Republic of Ireland manager in his post by February, and before Ireland take on Scotland in an international friendly. The association are currently drawing up a shortlist of candidates, while former Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton has been interviewing several of them at the request of the FAI. An FAI spokesman said "We have had a very positive response and it is an ongoing process. However, we are not going to make any comments until the process is finished and we have something to say. The target is to have somebody in place by February, but we shall not know the exact timing of things until Bryan has finished the process." Bryan Robson remains the bookmakers favourite, whoever Kevin Moran, who has recently expressed his interest in the position, has been tipped by many including former Irish boss Jack Charlton, as the man to take Ireland to Euro 2004.
i see from the latest round of media speculation that robson is now the bookies favourite, seems that they'll give the job to whoever gets keane back into the fold. i don't know why moran's putting his name forward, i thought his footballing days were long gone and he's only involved with his management company. kidd is being touted to get involved with the england set-up. i know from reading the leeds message board that they want shot of the guy. seems to be a great coach but rubbish manager/assistant. i still think dalglish will get it if he wants it with brian kerr as my second choice. i'd be very dissapointed if any of the rest get it. what odds on the fai giving it to the cheapest?
While I agree with the FAI taking time to pick the right person, I think delaying the decision any further or until February is a big mistake. All the current candidates have been in the hat for weeks now, yet they are still persisting on delaying a decision. While the current squad and set up will be slightly familiar to the new manager (whoever it should be), a new manager should be given as much time as possible to assess the current setup, what needs to be changed and as much chances as possible to view fringe or unknown players and to get himself acquainted with the management team and squad. The 1st February is 12 days before our next match and if the manager is picked around then as they are currently saying, it does not give him a lot of time.
Dutch master rejects approach – reports Reports in the Dutch media claim that legendary coach and former international Wim van Hanegem has turned down an approach by the FAI regarding the vacant Irish manager’s job. Van Hanegem is currently assistant to Dutch international manager Dick Advocaat, but has been linked with several jobs outside of Holland since the summer, including as Chinese national team boss and the manager’s position at Scottish Premier League side Motherwell, where current incumbent Terry Butcher has come under pressure following a dismal beginning to their season. But the strongest rumours, at least in the lowlands, insist that van Hanegem – a legend of Feyenoord and the great Dutch side of the 1970s – was contacted by either the FAI or the association’s recently appointed consultant, Bryan Hamilton, to discuss the Irish job. He has reportedly turned down the approach, preferring to remain on as assistant for the Oranje until his contract expires after the European Championships in two years’ time.