OUTGOING IRELAND BOSS Mick McCarthy says his premature departure is “disappointing” though he “fully supports the decision” that Stephen Kenny will oversee the remainder of the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.
This afternoon, the Football Association of Ireland [FAI] announced that McCarthy would be replaced by U21 boss Kenny with immediate effect.
The plan had always been for Kenny to take the reins after Euro 2020, but after the tournament’s postponement due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, everything was in the air.
“What are my thoughts? I said on 1 December 2018, when I took the job, that I’d be leaving on 31 July [2020] come what may,” McCarthy told FAI TV this evening.
“But those discussions were based on us qualifying and then maybe doing really well in the Euros. I said I was leaving and that’s still the case, albeit it’s been brought forward because of what’s happening worldwide
”Look, that’s hugely disappointing but I fully understand it as well. I see Åge Hareide is the same, the Denmark coach, he’s a pal of mine. He started the same competition and he’s leaving now because his successor was already picked to take over — mine was the same.
It’s disappointing I can’t finish it off, I think we’ve had a really good campaign. We were almost there in November when we played Denmark, sadly we didn’t [make it] and the play-offs have been pushed back. I fully understand it, Stephen’s been contracted to take over in August and good luck to him. He’ll get the chance now to qualify.
McCarthy’s second stint at the helm came to a sudden end ahead of the Boys In Green’s Euro qualifier play-off against Slovakia, which has been moved to September at earliest.
Reflecting on his time in charge, McCarthy stressed how much he enjoyed it, and offered his full support to his predecessor.
“If there was a reconnection needed, we certainly got that. It’s been brilliant. I’ve loved being back, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s been an absolute pleasure and an honour to do the job again. I think I’m leaving Stephen with a healthy balance, to be quite honest.
“It gives everybody clarity. To the real credit of Gary [Owens] and Roy [Barrett], they’ve taken over and made this decision quickly.
I support the decision because it’s only right and fair that Stephen gets his chance. It’s bittersweet, but I fully support it.
He thanked all of his players and staff and “commiserates with them that we’re not going to finish it,” and also shared his gratitude for the Ireland fans, who have been “wonderful from day one.”
McCarthy concluded that he will “absolutely” be back in football — “I’m back on the market,” he smirked — and he plans to support Ireland on the road to the European Championships.
Meanwhile, Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, and Brendan Griffin have also paid tribute to the outgoing manager.
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I saw a comment from a print journalist praising McCarthy’s integrity. I’d second that. A tremendous man who, while bringing success to Ireland and to his various clubs did both without a huge national pool of players or huge club budgets. He maximised his own potential and brought the best out of so many others. Cheap shots at his pay off are just that – cheap shots. Best of luck to him.
@Sean Healy: Well maybe he should not take the money and donate it to a charity then. It would be a nice way to finish
@Ger Buckley: do you donate your wages to charity
@Ger Buckley: At least defer it. Not stuck for a bob. If he takes his contracted money now people , a lot , will lose their jobs.
Ridiculous, if he gets million plus bonus for qualifying on back of Kenny stewardship. The Delaney quagmire.
@Tony Lyons: Is he worth the millions Delaney contrated him. Google what Northern O Neill was getting. A fraction.
@Ger Buckley: f. Off
@Ger Buckley: he earned his money, and in these times he who knows when he will work again
@Sean Healy: has an English physio a while back who worked with him at Ipswich. Said he was probably the nicest guy he’s ever worked for. Would treat the staff with same respect as the players.
@Ger Buckley: How do you know that he hasn’t ?
@Sean Healy: A true Irishman of the highest order.
@Sean Healy: Shameful getting a €1.3m severance package for finishing 3 months early of a 2 year contract. The pigs still have their snouts in the troughs
1.2 million should soften the blow. Cheers delaney
thanks mick
Anyone know what’s the story with Robbie Keane now big mick is gone?
@Pauly Kells: I think he’s gone too.He seemed to spend a lot of time on the training field having a kick about,obviously I wasn’t there but hope he offered something coaching wise considering he asked for the job as opposed to being offered it.Seems to have a good football brain but would personally prefer to see the likes of Lee Carsley come in as an assistant,even Steven Reid who’s number 2 with Scotland,much much more highly rated than Keane coaching wise.
@Pauly Kells: Kenny should be allowed bring in his own staff. Robbie Keane should step aside.
@Robb Stark: Agreed,Keane’s appointment was bizarre and screamed out ‘jobs for the boys’,I’d imagine Kenny will take Keith Andrews with him if he isn’t appointed 21s manager.
@Robb Stark: agreed about Robbie. What was he doing there? Ireland couldn’t score a goal !
@Nightowl: I’d imagine he was there as an extra voice as opposed to an extra head,got sick of seeing clips of him messing on the training ground and not doing much coaching but who knows,he could have been doing some valuable stuff behind the scenes.Him and Woodgate are struggling big time with a very talented Boro side too.
@Robb Stark: if he doesn’t demand his own staff we’re in trouble from the start
@Noel Lillis: I wouldn’t worry,Delaneys not there to make crazy calls anymore.Kenny is a fairly robust character I think he’ll get who he wants in.
@Nic Antonio: that’s good to hear
A decent skin. Delaney deal played on that to shift the focus away from numerous failures/ Staunton debacle. When low paid workers in the FAI are taking pay cuts of 10% to start with after 8 years without a rise, 3% last year, he walks away with 1.3 million plus a bonus of 1 million. Mick was stranded in the second tier. Achieved less than Northern Ireland whose manager was on a fraction of his package.The least he could do is to take a cut and defer the rest until FAI can afford it.There are 200 people in the FAi whose jobs are at risk.Those at the top, unlike the Delaney era are halving their pay.Why cant people not see that.
Quinn did and deferred his modest salary. Two thirds of the Delaney bung to his mot.
Time for a reality check here.A millionaire from this gig alone.
@David Glynn: you are right but football is a business & Mick will take it & go – most would
@David Glynn: fair points. But yeah a business – deferral yes but not a reduction. He was as blind as any as to what was going on.
@Caddyshack: No hero then
@Peter McGlynn: But he’s not blind now. In self isolation because of neighbours in UK. And he wants his full whack as FAI workers struggle.
Would have expected more.
Great to see all the opinions here and on social media on how other people should spend their wages! I’m sure all those offering those opinions would follow their own advice if they were in Mick McCarty’s position!
@Tony Harris: they would in there sack
@Tony Harris: they would in there sack
@Tony Harris: they would in there sack
I have a feeling we haven’t seeing the last of him with the Irish team!
@Seán Dillon: He has had his day.
Amazing.Just put up a news item about government formation. All the SF propagandists and bots come out. Whoever first out of the traps can get over 2000 likes as in the Alan Kelly leadership articles. A party with 6 seats. But the potential to renew and deprive mad lefties and SF of a core working class base energises. Mick mc Carthy. No pickings thereApart from the beleaguered 200 workforce with a cut of 10 % in pay after 8 years of no pay rises and the trauma of the end of the Delaney era when months went by with no resolution.County development officers working with communities and schools to develop the game and work with kids, our future stars
Zilch interest.That’s what happens when you are in a cult.And the begging letter from SF and DUP for some of our PPE supplies. Pathetic
@David Glynn: keep your anti-Sinn Fein splurge away from the sports section please.
@David Glynn: in fairness if it was online campaigning that won the election for them how did it take until the election campaign for it to show success. Admit it Sinn Fein listened to the people, got their policies correct, Mary Lou was rock solid and Doherty and O’Broin blew the others away with their superior insight.
@Peter McGlynn: Eh no. Don’t take instructions from you.
You cant take the truth.
The alleged party of the workers don’t give 2 sh about 200 workers worried for the last 6 months about their job’s and paying their mortgage.
I will decide what platform I use and what I say about SF.
A sports section does not involve real people whose livelihoods and wages are compromised.
Your facile dismissal tells us who you really are.
Shameful. But human empathy disappears when you are in a cult.
@Peter McGlynn: A chicken in every pot politics. I admit fully they got their pitch right. So did Trump.
Does make it right.
@David Glynn:
Wow!
I knew you engaged in obsessive SF rants on the political threads….but this brings shoe-horning a phychosis to a new level!
@brendan fitzsimons: That’s what they said about those who opposed the Nazism. Similar cult.
Time to retire having sucked in all you SF fanatics. A benefit of seniority is you need less sleep and baiting Shinners is a free amusement cost free late at night,.
All so uniform and predictable in responses.
@David Glynn: Your oppressed with Sinn Fein . You are a credit to FFG. Now if we could continue with the subject of the state of Irish Football.. Sinn Fein Abu.
@David Glynn: Think it was the blueshirts that sailed under the Swastika to go to Spain .. The predecessors of F.G.. stick to Mick McCarthy…
If only Roy Keane had such class
Who ta feck is Kenny..? Lol
Good riddens to that w****r. Mick the p***k. Has earned millions off the back of bad results for decades. Terrible style of play has no idea how to coach. He cant bring enough British born players in to the squad, hes been ignoring the younger talent available to him which many are are playing in the championship regularly and instead plays Glen Whealan. A great day for Ireland to see the back of that gomey. Bring on the playoffs and a full bred Irish man not a half breed English man
@Roga Milla: Oh, a troll. Nice one chief. Insults being a sign of intelligence
@Bennett blaster: Legit opinion on the situation. If you dont like what I have to say mute me. Nobody asked you to comment. You must be english LOL.
@Roga Milla: It’s ok if you have English blood and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You should be proud of your ancestors. No need to use aggression to try and cover up where you are really from.
HAPPY why not with a million euro pay off from Employers who are broken
No SF bots commenting. Not as if getting up early tomorrow.
Forget about the good hardworking people in the FAI, abused for years as Delaney refused to engage with Siptu.This just proves my point.
All as one with FFG nomenclature, Mehole and blue shirt jibes.
And your nurses and health workers on strike weeks ago up north to get the money back from your cuts and regain parity.
And the old get out clause of Westminister dictates found to be bogus. Only part of UK who cut wages of health care workers.
What do you not understand about a strike to regain parity.
SF flip flopping as with water rates.Disgusting bunch of hypocrites. This caretaker government are doing a good job.
We don’t need apprentices now but seasoned tradesmen.
Nothing to offer but begging letters for our PPP E year.
@David Glynn:
Sez you at 1.30 am on a thread about Mick McCarthy!
Go to bed and sober up….
@David Glynn: cool story bro. What drugs are you smoking. Your ranting on like a lunatic. Definitely one of Leo’s snowflake cult followers
@brendan fitzsimons: Pioneer. Unlike methinks you.
@Roga Milla: Cant deal with the truth and reality. Pioneer and drugs are alien to me but I suspect not for you. Poor soul. Think about rehab when this is all over.
Wish you well in recovery.
It’s the right move, happy he got a second chance but the plan is the plan
Ní fheicfimid a leithéidí inár measc arís.
Búichos Mick.
Why are soccer fans so negative?