O’Neill quits as Ireland manager after dismal run
DUBLIN: Martin O’Neill stepped down as Ireland manager yesterday after five years at the helm following a dismal run of results that resulted in relegation in the Nations League.
The former Celtic and Leicester boss, who replaced Giovanni Trapattoni in November 2013, left his post by mutual consent, with assistant manager Roy Keane also parting company with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
O’Neill guided his team to the last 16 at Euro 2016 and oversaw famous victories over Germany and Italy during his 55 games in charge.
He also led the side to the play-offs for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
“On behalf of the FAI board, I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for their work with the Republic of Ireland team over the last five years,” said FAI president Donal Conway.
“Martin ensured that we enjoyed some great nights in the Aviva Stadium and on the road in Lille, Vienna, and Cardiff, which were fantastic high points for Irish football.”
The FAI said its board would meet promptly to discuss the process of recruiting a new manager.
Despite his achievements, O’Neill endured a miserable run — Ireland won just one of their nine games in 2018, a victory against the United States in June, and were without a win in their last four competitive matches.
The poor run of results culminated in a 0-0 draw against Denmark on Monday in Aarhus. The side have also struggled badly for goals and have not found the net since Sept 11.
PSG DUO INJURED
A shoulder injury to Kylian Mbappe overshadowed France’s 1-0 friendly win over Uruguay at the Stade de France on Tuesday as Didier Deschamps’ world champions ended the year on a high note.
Mbappe had to be replaced in the first half after a nasty fall, continuing a miserable night for his Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel after the German had already seen Neymar hobble off injured early in Brazil’s 1-0 friendly win over Cameroon in Milton Keynes.
PSG face Liverpool in a crucial Champions League clash in Paris on Nov 28.
When asked if he could give “reassuring news” about Mbappe in his press conference, France coach Deschamps said: “Not necessarily reassuring, but not worrying either.”