Republic of Ireland interim manager John O’Shea’s hopes of becoming the permanent boss appear to be fading, despite promising performances from his team in two recent friendlies.
The Boys in Green showcased resilience in a commendable draw against Belgium, albeit against a second-string line-up, before falling to defeat against Switzerland.
Evan Ferguson will rue his missed penalty that could have secured a victory against Belgium, while O’Shea would feel his side deserved at least a draw against the Swiss.
While that doesn’t make for a strong case for O’Shea on the surface, friendlies are a ridiculously unreliable gauge at the best of times. He set up a structure that was undeniably better than predecessor Stephen Kenny’s, but the story in the final third was the same – toothless at best.
Nevertheless, O’Shea has demonstrated that he could be a dependable and calm public face for Ireland and the Football Association (FAI). Unfortunately, it won’t be enough to secure a permanent role with the FAI seeking a more experienced tactician.
FAI Want Experienced Manager
O’Shea’s hopes of becoming Ireland’s permanent manager appear to have been dashed, with the FAI setting their sights on a candidate boasting more top-level experience.
He hasn’t been ruled out, but the FAI’s delayed announcement and exploration of other options suggest they’re moving in a different direction.
O’Shea has made it clear he’s interested in the permanent role and remains open to serving as an interim manager again in June if the FAI postpones their decision until summer.
Considering initial plans to announce a new manager this week have been abandoned, a summer announcement appears to be the most likely outcome.
Reports suggest the FAI is leaning towards Chris Hughton. The ex-Newcastle United manager was ruled out of contention during the early stages of the managerial search.
However, the FAI have made a U-turn, launching a fresh approach for the 65-year-old. There are still other candidates under consideration, including former Chelsea coach Anthony Barry, who worked alongside Kenny in 2021 before joining the Belgian coaching staff.
The recent departure of CEO Jonathan Hill adds an air of uncertainty to the process. He was expected to play a key role in selecting Kenny’s successor, but the change in leadership could further delay any announcement.
Ferguson Must Recapture Form Ahead of Ireland’s World Cup Quest
Whoever succeeds Kenny would have to find a way to get the best out of Evan Ferguson and integrate him with a wave of promising young Irish talent rising through the ranks.
The Brighton & Hove Albion striker has become a symbol of Ireland’s current woes, with his struggles for form and confidence have casting a shadow over his ability to lead the line.
When Ireland were awarded a penalty around the half-hour mark against Belgium, Ferguson had a golden opportunity to end his then-20-game goal drought stretching back to November last year.
However, his effort from 12 yards was just as unconvincing as his recent performances, which have forced him to relinquish his grip on regular first-team football at Brighton.
Not even flashes of brilliance against Switzerland could fully dispel the doubts surrounding his inconsistency at the highest level. However, he remains a symbol of hope for the Emerald Isle.
Ireland’s World Cup lengthy qualification odds with the bookmakers mirror the uncertainty surrounding the team, but a new managerial appointment could be the catalyst for a turnaround.
If Ferguson can rediscover his scoring touch, it would be an added incentive for online betting sites in Ireland to reconsider their current stance on the Boys in Green’s World Cup chances.
New Manager Must Shuffle the Pack
It’s been over two decades since Ireland last qualified for the World Cup, which suggests a different approach may be required at the sixth time of asking.
Ireland have a history of building the national team around older players, but mixing experience with youthful exuberance could be the key to clinching a place in the World Cup this time around.
Irish stars have been making waves across the globe, with a handful such as Ferguson, Finn Azaz and Sammie Szmodics establishing themselves in the English football pyramid.
While Ferguson is currently battling a goal drought, his undeniable talent ranks him as a top prospect. If he can prove his mettle by overcoming these challenging times, Ireland could significantly benefit from his rejuvenated firepower.
Azaz has been in sensational form for Middlesbrough, bagging ten goals and seven assists this season. Ireland could utilise his creative spark in midfield.
Szmodics is an obvious choice. The 28-year-old has been the lynchpin of a struggling Blackburn Rovers side, leading the Championship scoring charts with 24 goals.
Kasey McAteer, Jake O’Brien, Marcus Harness, Troy Parrot and Andrew Moran have also proven they could be the future of the national team and should form the core part of the squad.