IT’S MARTIN O’NIL
now on finding a successor – with Mick Mccarthy favourite to return to the post he held from 1996 to 2002.
But many fans believe the problems run deeper than just the manager.
Former Under-23 boss Pat Fenlon has called for a “root-and-branch” examination of the situation.
He told RTE Sport: “We need a look at what’s happening, how we can develop the game and I think at the top of that is the chief executive. He has to be responsible for where the game is, because if you compare our game at the moment to where rugby is and where Gaelic football is and hurling is in the country, we’re a long way behind and that can’t continue.
“We’re going to lose participants, we’re going to lose interest in the game and I’ve been in a position as the manager, and results will always dictate, but as soon as the finger is pointed either a board or people within a higher position in that organisation, they will make change.
“That has happened now.”
THE departure of Martin O’neill and Roy Keane was inevitable after the poor performances of the past year.
While there were many highs during the veteran manager’s tenure as chief coach the Republic’s recent results suggests the team’s form, and morale, was deteriorating.
As the national team plummeted down the FIFA world rankings the state of the domestic game is also at a low ebb which is in stark contrast to rugby which is at an all-time high.
The appointment of a new manager will be welcomed by fans but there is a general consensus that more radical changes to the FAI are needed if soccer is to be revived.