IT IS WIDELY being reported today that Noel King is in pole position to become caretaker manager of Ireland, as the FAI continues its search for a permanent boss.
King is the current coach of the under-21 side, having previously managed a number of League of Ireland clubs, including Finn Harps and Limerick.
The 56-year-old is expected to assume the position, particularly as in 2007, the then-under-21 boss Don Givens came in in similar circumstances, following Steve Staunton’s departure from the role.
FAI Chief Executive John Delaney recently emphasised that the association are in no rush to appoint a successor to Giovanni Trapattoni.
With this in mind, would you be happy with the prospective appointment?
Poll Results:
No (723)
Other (629)
Yes (303)
At least he can speak English.
Plays 4-3-3 so might be nice to watch. Hopefully ditches the Whelan/Sammons and gives some of his under 21 some experience of at least training with the seniors like Carruthers, Duffy and Murray but not necessarily play them and hopefully call in the in form lads like Andy Reid and Anthony Stokes
Sounds great in a perfect world, but I don’t think it will be King’s job to go recalling Reid or any other player left out of the Trap era. That’s a job for the next manager.
Temporally in charge? It doesn’t matter a jot as we can’t qualify
Unfortunately, Macca, supporting the international soccer team doesn’t work that way, whether the team can qualify or not. That’s for the fair-weather supporters who switch on and off like taps! Maybe you should stick to club soccer where everything can be fixed in a week or two, or another change of manager!
Get the new man in and let him use these two competitive games and some friendlies to prepare for the 2016 qualifiers, waste of time appointing a temporary manager when you get so few international games these days
There are more international games than ever before. The number isn’t dwindling…….
The whole point in paying Crap to go early was to give a new manager time to try all those players that have either been overlooked or disassociated with the squad over the last 5 years. If we dont hire someone before our next game I’ll go mad. Theres only so much shit leadership I can take John Delaney. I’m likely to go postal! Get your arse outta that job now. By the way I’ve nothin against Noel King. Hes the kinda man you can help reconnect all structures of Irish football, from grassroots to the LoI to the National team.
Totally agree, John. The FAI acted quickly to axe Trap, so they can’t now sit on their hands till after Christmas. A new manager could really get to grips with a team over two competitive matches, more than can be done in a half dozen friendlies next year.
So in charge until we get beat by Germany then?? Obviously O’Neill already has the job but he’s not taking over until that game is out of the way
Go listen to the BBC interview O’Neill did. He’s shrewd and has history with the FAI after the last botched and clumsy attempt to get him in. O’Neill has no right hand man at the moment as Robertson recently suffered a heart attack. I’m sure he is interested, but the FAI have to first make contact formally, and O’Neill has to put in place a backroom team that probably won’t include Robertson.
Hmm, I wonder if O’ Neill has turned us down, but If he hasn’t and IS interested there is no point in bringing in an interim, just give it to O’ Neill all ready – we’re not going to find a better candidate.
Will they ever stop messing around and get a proper manager!!
If O’Neill is to come in, and he is the FAI’s first choice, he wouldn’t go too far wrong by including King in that backroom team.
It seems to me that taking over for the Germany game is seen as a poison chalice for any incoming manager, ie O’ Neill……. Hence the interim manager route, it needs sorting sooner rather than later but it is the fai we’re dealing with….. “Cowboys Ted “
Good luck to Noel King…..a shrewd man with a history steeped in Irish soccer.
A really fine piece to add to the CV.
Think this wouldn’t be bad… A lot of talk about connecting the LOI with the national team and what better way to do than to have the manager learning the ropes from there. He’s doing an excellent job with the 21′s and should be given a chance.
Gtfo
When everyone has eventually accepted that there probably won’t be an appointment in the next week, (and I agree we should have had an early appointment if the FAI wasn’t going to allow Trap see out the WC group) instead of 900 out of 1200 simply pushing buttons and red thumbing, why don’t you suggest a constructive alternative to King, rather than a simple NO.
Not happy that an interim is there in the first place personally, but the best man for the job.