Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Delaney’s disaster
JOHN Delaney and the FAI are to blame for the woeful Republic, it was claimed yesterday.
Former international manager Brian Kerr put the boot into the board after the shock resignations of Martin O’neill and his assistant Roy Keane.
It’s claimed the pair’s departure was by “mutual agreement”.
But they were left with little choice after a string of poor results that saw Ireland relegated to the third tier of the UEFA Nations League.
And as the hunt began for a new boss it emerged O’neill and Keane would be paid until the end of the year but not to the end of their contracts.
But Kerr said: “The spotlight should really be on the board of management and the leader [John Delaney] into why they renewed Martin and Roy’s contracts in January after Martin had made his intentions clear to try to get two jobs in English football.
“They renewed his contract with vast amounts of money and haven’t been doing the job very well at all.
“The spotlight should be on the board and the chief executive into their decision making over the last few years, which has been a disaster.”
The football veteran, who was Republic coach from 2003 to 2005, told Virgin Media News pressure had been piling on O’neill and Delaney.
CONTROVERSY
He added: “The other night in the game in Denmark – in Aarhus – there were banners out complaining about John Delaney and Martin O’neill.
“Songs were sung throughout the game reflecting on the leadership of the FAI and the management.
“In truth, we had some very good days under Martin and Roy. [But] there has been too much controversy in recent times – and too much dreadful football.
“The quality of football has led to their demise. We’ve had four matches without a goal, three 0-0 draws.
“The game with Northern Ireland really put a spotlight on things because Northern Ireland don’t have any better players than we have to pick from – and yet they were far superior and should have won.”
It’s believed the goalless draw against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League campaign on Monday, in which Ireland failed to register a single shot on target, sealed the fate of O’neill and management team Keane, Steve Guppy and Seamus Mcdonagh.
It brought to an end a terrible run of results in 2018, with just four goals in nine games.
The announcement came after a meeting between Delaney and O’neill in England on Tuesday night. Delaney said: “I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for the impact they had with the Ireland team. “There have been many highlights during Martin’s reign – none more so than EURO 2016 in France, which will live long in the memory of Irish supporters. Martin did a great job guiding the team out of a difficult qualifying group – where we beat World Champions Germany along the way – to reach Euro 2016 and advance to the Last-16 following a historic victory over Italy in Lille.
“I wish Martin and the management team the very best for the future.”
The statement added the FAI Board would meet promptly to discuss recruiting a new manager. O’neill and Keane’s reign lasted five years, initially taking over in 2013 and guiding the side to Euro 2016, progressing from the group stage before being eliminated by France.
Irish Sports Minister Shane Ross thanked O’neill and Keane for the work they had done.
He said: “I want to thank Martin O’neill and Roy Keane and acknowledge the highlights, the hard work and the commitment they have given to Irish football over the last five years.
“No one will ever forget those magic moments under their stewardship – Shane Long scoring that magnificent goal against Germany at home and Robbie Brady’s header against Italy in the Euros among so many others.
“In addition I would like to sincerely thank them for their commitment to sport at every level.
“Their dedication and support has inspired our young soccer players – so many of whom were lucky enough to be instructed by and spend time with these great sportsmen.” The focus is
Republic bosses quit after string of terrible results
FAI chief pays tribute to pair for ‘many highlights’
Ex-coach Kerr blames association for football fiasco
now on finding a successor – with Mick Mccarthy favourite to return to the post he held from 1996 to 2002.
Irish fans believe the problems run deeper than just the manager.
Former Under-23 boss Pat Fenlon has called for a “root-and-branch” examination of the situation.
He told RTE Sport: “We need a look at what’s happening, how we can develop the game and I think at the top of that is the chief executive. He has to be responsible for where the game is, because if you compare our game at the moment to where rugby is and where Gaelic football is and hurling is in the country, we’re a long way behind and that can’t continue.
“We’re going to lose participants, we’re going to lose interest in the game and I’ve been in a position as the manager, and results will always dictate, but as soon as the finger is pointed either a board or people within a higher position in that organisation, they will make change.
“That has happened now.”