Since Steve Staunton’s sacking as Ireland boss in October, names
such as Terry Venables, Gerard Houllier and David O’Leary have been
put forward as candidates capable of leading the team to the 2010 world
cup. But is it not time the FAI cast their net throughout European
football?
 

When the FAI began the search for a new Irish manager in October 2005,
chief executive John Delaney promised the nation a ‘world class’
manager. We got Steve Staunton. (I don’t think you need me to tell how
that turned out). This time it’s just as well we weren’t promised a
‘world class’ manager because, judging by the candidates mention so
far, it looks as though we won’t get one.
That is unless you’d consider Gerard Houllier, David O’Leary or Terry
Venables world class. Venables may have the best record of the three,
but on closer inspection, his CV isn’t as immaculate as we’d be led to
believe. Maybe it’s time the FAI, or whoever’s picking the next team
manager, looked beyond ex-premier league bosses, who seemingly view the
Ireland job as just a cushy part-time gig, and towards continental
managers who’ve had successes with countries that don’t have the
players, facilities or money Irish football has.
Otto Rehhagel is one such coach who’s had unbelievable success at
international level. The German took 100-1 outsiders Greece to victory
in the 2004 European championships. On the way to their shock triumph
they defeated France, the Czech Republic and hosts Portugal. Tactically
the Greek side were doggedly defensive, capitalising on set pieces and
mistakes by their opponents. When questioned about their ‘boring’
tactics Rehhagel, 69, replied; “No one should forget that a coach
adapts the tactics to the characteristics of the available players.”
And the veteran German certainly did that, so much so I challenge even
the most die-hard football fan to name at least four players from the
European Championship winning Greek squad. Hard isn’t it?
Another excellent candidate for the Ireland is even less known then
Rehhagel. Foppe de Haan took charge of the Netherlands U-21 team in
2004 and so far has led them to the European Championship glory in 2006
and again earlier this year. His work in club football has been
exclusively in Holland, where he was in charge of SC Heerenveen for
almost twenty years, taking the small club from the lower Dutch
divisions, to the Champions league in 1999. De Haan, 64, would bring a
wealth of knowledge and some much needed tactical input into the Irish
side. He also has an eye for a player; the Dutchman’s credited with
discovering and nurturing former Manchester United goal machine Ruud
van Nistelrooy, who’d been a midfielder before joining the club. Maybe
he could give Robbie Keane tips.
Leo Beenhakker is another manager with excellent credentials. The
veteran Dutch coach has just guided Poland to Euro 2008, while last
year he brought Trinidad and Tobago to their first world cup finals and
has managed such European giants as Ajax and Real Madrid. Beenhakker,
65, has just extended his contract with the Polish team until 2010. But
his reported salary is around half of the wage Staunton earned during
his doomed tenure, so maybe even the penny pinching Fai could afford
this vastly experienced coach.
In fact they wouldn’t have to break the bank to get any of these
managers. Compared to Houllier, O’Leary or Venables, any one of these
coaches have stronger qualifications and superior track records. The
FAI got it wrong with the selections of Brian Kerr and Steve Staunton
and this time we should look past the usual gang of ex-internationals
and former premier league bosses. If not then this managerial
appointment could be third time unlucky for Irish football.

- Robert Redmond