Last week’s update on the search for the next Republic of Ireland manager did not come as a surprise to many supporters.
The FAI had previously suggested that an appointment would be made in ‘early April’. However, after that deadline passed with no announcement, it has since been revealed September’s UEFA Nations League opener against England is the next deadline that they have in mind.
Marc Canham suggested that the FAI wanted John O’Shea to be in charge for the June friendlies against Hungary and Portugal, although that had not been sorted yet either.
In all, it was the latest misstep in what has so far been a shambolic process to find Stephen Kenny’s replacement.
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Matt Doherty not impressed with search for next Ireland manager
The FAI have certainly lose quite a bit of credibility in recent months, with the search for the next Ireland manager just one of a number of issues that has plagued the Association.
While the players usually tend to keep out of boardroom issues, even they are starting to notice the struggles in that area.
Speaking to the BBC, Ireland defender Matt Doherty admitted that this process has not been a good look for the FAI. He also said that it’s far from ideal that no permanent appointment will be made before the June game.
I don’t know what’s going on over there. It looks messy.
It seems to be taking a while and there doesn’t seem to be any clarity. To the neutral eye really that it has taken that long…
If it is John [O’Shea], then it will be pretty good.
Really they needed someone for the summer so they can implement what they want to do before the games start getting competitive.
Ireland will open their UEFA Nations League campaign with a game against England on September 7th, with Greece and Finland also part of their League ‘B’ group.
Whoever the new Ireland manager is for that campaign, it is likely that their preparation for the tournament would have been far from ideal.
The FAI must accept the blame for that.
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