O’Neill: Ireland U21s is ideal job for young coach

MARTIN O’NEILL reckons the Irish Under-21 managerial vacancy is ‘an opportunity for somebody young’ to succeed Noel King.

The senior manager also feels the timing of the appointment would be relatively stress-free.

‘It would be a good run for somebody now at the minute. There would be no phenomenal expectation, then there is the possibility in 2023 of automatic qualification,’ said O’Neill.

‘Any sort of help that they would want I will be around,’ he added.

Robbie Keane has been linked to the job. There are other fine candidates, too, such as Lee Carsley, Steven Reid and Damien Duff – all four played in the 2002 World Cup finals for Ireland.

The history of the Irish U21s is not exactly speckled with success. Any outstanding young players are instantly promoted to a higher grade and the team has never reached a major final.

Keane made his senior debut at 17 and skipped the U21s completely, as did Duff, another Irish centurion. Whoever gets the U21 job knows the senior manager can also over-rule him at any time in terms of selecting players. It happened with Declan Rice (left) who was plucked from the Irish U21s before the player asked for a time-out in the summer to decide his future. Each passing game indicates Rice is leaning towards declaring for England, but O’Neill will make a final personal plea for his services after this international double-header. Pointedly, he will bring Mark O’Toole, the FAI’s recruiting agent in London, with him. ‘I’m definitely going to see him (Rice), with Mark O’Toole, and we’ll have a cup of tea. Mark is very well thought of by the family. I’d like to speak to Sean (Declan’s Dad) first, but I will be speaking to Declan himself too,’ he said.

‘It will be great if Declan makes it (the decision to come to Ireland). His family are genuine people and they will abide by his decision. It will be Declan’s decision at the end of it all.’

In light of London-born Rice’s leanings, O’Neill will encourage the new U21 manager, along with the likes of O’Toole, to source as many eligible players as possible.

‘There is the opportunity now to look at who is progressing through the under-age teams and also scouting far and wide.

‘If you are saying all is fair in love and war, then players who are eligible for us might have a chance of getting in and might be a decent player in the not too distant future.’