Bad news is an understatement. ---Two-horse race Bryan Robson and Peter Reid are the only remaining candidates to succeed Mick McCarthy as Irish manager, claims a report in a Sunday newspaper. The report states that after interviewing a number of candidates FAI advisor Bryan Hamilton had reduced the possibilities to Robson and Reid. However Hamilton has denied the existence of any shortlist for the job. Meanwhile it has emerged that whoever does get the job may only be handed a contract lasting until the end of Ireland’s involvement in the Euro 2004 championships. Ireland have already suffered defeats away to Russia and at home to Switzerland so qualification for the finals looks difficult at best. Should Ireland be eliminated during the qualifying campaign then the new manager could be on his way out before the finals even take place. However an FAI official says that the man who takes charge will be expected to lead Ireland to championships in 2004. “When we appoint the new man we’ll be looking to him to take the team to the Euro finals in Portugal. Some will see that as a tall order but with 18 points still to be won we believe it’s far from a lost cause.” --- Right, so turning Welsh it is then.
robson will get it! typical bloody f.a.i., - lets NOT get the right man for the job, lets NOT show any foresight, lets NOT take ireland to the next level. lets get some unemployed (..for a reason) has-been underachiever so we don't have to pay any compensation to his club. and here's the genius bit - because we all know in our heart-of-hearts it's going to be a disaster, we'll only give him a short term contract that lasts up until the next championship. then, if/when we don't qualify we can get somebody cheaper. brilliant! lets give ourselves another raise idiots! new year's eve and i'm already in a bad mood.