Ex-Cats boss McCarthy answers Ireland’s Euro 2020 call
Mick McCarthy returned to the Republic of Ireland with his sights set on qualification for the Euro 2020 finals and a determination to draw a line under the explosive end to his previous reign.
Former Sunderland manager McCarthy has agreed a two-year contract with the Republic, 16 years after leaving the job in the wake of the 2002 World Cup finals, during which he had a bust-up with his then captain, Roy Keane.
The 59-year-old has been tasked with leading the team to the next major finals, in which Dublin will host four games, before he will stand aside to allow newly-appointed Under-21s boss Stephen Kenny to take charge of the senior team.
McCarthy said: “I’m happy with it - it’s for two years to qualify for the European Championships. We’ll see if it’s a good decision (to come back) in two years’ time, but I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ve got older and wiser and I’ve got a bit more perspective on life. I tend not to call out everyone as quickly as I did before. I’d like to think of the experience I’ve gained since I was here last time.”
McCarthy was the obvious choice of the Football Association of Ireland following the respective departures of Martin O’Neill and his assistant Keane last week.
And while the irony of effectively replacing the man with whom his managerial career will always be identified with, will not have been lost on McCarthy, he insisted it was a situation he has long since consigned to history. McCarthy said: “I don’t believe that my career or Roy’s career should be defined by that. We both had successful playing careers, but then I’ve had a pretty successful career as a manager and I like to think I’d be remembered for that.”