Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Mart still deserves respect
IRELAND legend John Giles reckons people have short memories in football.
Giles – himself a former Irish manager and international of distinction – insists O’neill should be remembered for the good times, not the bad.
He said: “Martin did a lot of good for us, it’s only two years since he came home a hero after Euro 2016.
“That’s the way it happens in the game, people have short memories.”
But the legendary Leeds United figure acknowledged most managers reach the point of no return once the tide turns against them.
Giles added: “When things are not going well on the pitch, the players take the blame, when things are going well on the pitch, the manager gets the credit.
“That’s the way it has been since time immemorial in football and I suspect it is the way it will always be.
“But when things are not going really well, then it comes back to the manager and questions start about his position.
“And nine times out of 10 all that is correct and right.
“It’s fine margins as we had chances to go 2-0 up against Denmark last year, what would the position be then?
“But it’s not good to be beaten 5-1 either. And since then, 2018 has not been good and that is obvious.
“Every manager has a shelf life especially at international level where you are judged on the result of a qualifying campaign every two years.
“Get it wrong and you have to wait two years to put it right.
“Alf Ramsey was fired after winning the World Cup with England. Big Jack was fired after all he did for us, Trap was fired and look at all he won as a manager.”