Martin O'Neill celebrates Ireland's qualification for Euro 2016 with Robbie Brady. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
FOR MANY FANS, qualifying for Euro 2016 meant mission accomplished for Martin O’Neill. However for others, question marks remain about the former Celtic manager’s performance as Ireland manager.
Bar a slip-up by Scotland in Georgia, Ireland may well have been looking for a new national team manager this year. Although, four points were gained against Germany, only two were won against Poland and Scotland.
With only eight teams being eliminated from the group stage of the tournament in France, failure to progress could raise new doubts over the Derryman’s future.
2. Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal's possession-based football has irked some Manchester United fans. Dave Thompson
Dave Thompson
Louis van Gaal took over Manchester United when they were in crisis mode, having finished seventh in the table and missing out on European football for the first time in 24 years.
Although his first term in charge didn’t set the world alight, qualification for the Champions League ensured that it was a satisfactory season.
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After spending £100m in the summer transfer window, there is an increasing feeling of impatience around Old Trafford about van Gaal’s footballing philosophy, driven by a lack of cutting edge in attack.
Last season, United went without a trophy for two seasons in a row for the first time in 26 years, ensuring that if van Gaal doesn’t change his style, winning a bit of silverware maybe the only means of keeping the fans happy
3. Rafa Benitez
Rafael Benitez replaced Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid's manager. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
The appointment of Rafa Benitez as Real Madrid manager, seemed like a strange choice at the time, and nothing has changed to suggest otherwise.
Real Madrid have a history of free-flowing attacking football which is demanded by the fans of Los Blancos, while Benitez has a defensively-minded reputation with an often cautious approach to management.
Not even success on the field of play may save Benitez from getting the sack in 2016 as the Real Madrid board are known for their cut-throat nature. Just ask Vicente Del Bosque, who failed to get a new contract despite winning the league, and having won the Champions League twice during his four years in charge.
4. Roy Hodgson
Valencia manager Gary Neville will be part of Roy Hodgson's backroom team. PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
Many fans felt that the former Liverpool manager was lucky to keep his job after England finished bottom of their World Cup pool in 2014.
However, England qualified for Euro 2016 with a 100% winning record with 10 wins out of 10 games, in what was one of the weakest groups in the qualifying process.
For Euro 2016 to be deemed a success, Hodgson’s England will need to reach a minimum of a semi-final.
5. Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola will be hoping to get past the semi-finals of the Champions League with Bayern Munich, for the first time in 2016. AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Despite joining Bayern to much fanfare, Guardiola has yet to eclipse the achievements of the man he replaced, Jupp Heynckes.
Guardiola’s time in charge of Bayern will be judged by his performances in Europe, which to date have not matched expectations even though the former Barcelona manager has won two Bundesliga titles in his two years in charge.
The Bavarians have crashed out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage twice in the last two years, losing 5-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid in 2014 and 5-3 to Barcelona last season, after losing the first leg 3-0.
In Bayern’s treble winning season, Heynckes’ side were noted for their exciting counter-attacking style of football, while Guardiola’s slow possession-based style at Bayern has fustrated some fans.
With Guardiola’s contract expiring at the end of the season, 2016 will be a big year for Pep.
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1. Martin O’Neill
FOR MANY FANS, qualifying for Euro 2016 meant mission accomplished for Martin O’Neill. However for others, question marks remain about the former Celtic manager’s performance as Ireland manager.
Bar a slip-up by Scotland in Georgia, Ireland may well have been looking for a new national team manager this year. Although, four points were gained against Germany, only two were won against Poland and Scotland.
With only eight teams being eliminated from the group stage of the tournament in France, failure to progress could raise new doubts over the Derryman’s future.
2. Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal took over Manchester United when they were in crisis mode, having finished seventh in the table and missing out on European football for the first time in 24 years.
Although his first term in charge didn’t set the world alight, qualification for the Champions League ensured that it was a satisfactory season.
After spending £100m in the summer transfer window, there is an increasing feeling of impatience around Old Trafford about van Gaal’s footballing philosophy, driven by a lack of cutting edge in attack.
Last season, United went without a trophy for two seasons in a row for the first time in 26 years, ensuring that if van Gaal doesn’t change his style, winning a bit of silverware maybe the only means of keeping the fans happy
3. Rafa Benitez
The appointment of Rafa Benitez as Real Madrid manager, seemed like a strange choice at the time, and nothing has changed to suggest otherwise.
Real Madrid have a history of free-flowing attacking football which is demanded by the fans of Los Blancos, while Benitez has a defensively-minded reputation with an often cautious approach to management.
Not even success on the field of play may save Benitez from getting the sack in 2016 as the Real Madrid board are known for their cut-throat nature. Just ask Vicente Del Bosque, who failed to get a new contract despite winning the league, and having won the Champions League twice during his four years in charge.
4. Roy Hodgson
Many fans felt that the former Liverpool manager was lucky to keep his job after England finished bottom of their World Cup pool in 2014.
However, England qualified for Euro 2016 with a 100% winning record with 10 wins out of 10 games, in what was one of the weakest groups in the qualifying process.
For Euro 2016 to be deemed a success, Hodgson’s England will need to reach a minimum of a semi-final.
5. Pep Guardiola
Despite joining Bayern to much fanfare, Guardiola has yet to eclipse the achievements of the man he replaced, Jupp Heynckes.
Guardiola’s time in charge of Bayern will be judged by his performances in Europe, which to date have not matched expectations even though the former Barcelona manager has won two Bundesliga titles in his two years in charge.
The Bavarians have crashed out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage twice in the last two years, losing 5-0 on aggregate to Real Madrid in 2014 and 5-3 to Barcelona last season, after losing the first leg 3-0.
In Bayern’s treble winning season, Heynckes’ side were noted for their exciting counter-attacking style of football, while Guardiola’s slow possession-based style at Bayern has fustrated some fans.
With Guardiola’s contract expiring at the end of the season, 2016 will be a big year for Pep.
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Bayern Munich England Ireland Louis van Gaal Man Utd Martin O'Neill Pep Guardiola Rafa Benitez Real Madrid Roy Hodgson tough at the top