FAI veto McCarthy's man

THE relationship between the FAI and Mick McCarthy, the new Republic of Ireland manager, is already in trouble following the association's decision to veto the proposed appointment of Ian Evans as his full time assistant.

A full time appointment has been deferred while the FAI hierarchy press ahead with plans to install managers of the under 21 and under 18 teams within the next week.

A counter proposal that the position of assistant team manager be undertaken by Evans on a match to match basis is not acceptable to McCarthy who believes that the FAI's suggestion is unworkable.

"What happens if an assistant manager is in place for two or three games and is then offered full time employment by a club," said McCarthy. "Naturally, he'll take the club position, but where does that leave the national team.

"I would have thought that we need a man who will be with us throughout the next World Cup campaign and who can contribute significantly to the preparation and development of the Irish squad over the next few years.

I feel for Ian Evans, a man with a proven track record in the game, who has much to offer. But if that is the decision of the association, I will of course abide by it."

The FAI have argued that their financial resources do not stretch to the point where they can effectively employ three other full time managers those at senior assistant, under 21 and under 18 levels besides McCarthy.

They argue that the under 21 post is critical to the future of the national senior squad. It is proposed that the post will be filled by a qualified Irishman resident in England who will have direct responsibility for monitoring the progress of Irish youngsters who Join British clubs as apprentice professionals.

In theory, the idea is sound but as BLF officials have discovered in their efforts to track the careers of third level students who go on scholarship to American universities, the practical problems involved are substantial.

Among the qualified FA coaches in line for the vacancy are Chris Hughton and Kevin Sheedy, both internationals of recent vintage, and Steve Heighway, who is currently in charge of Liverpool's youth development programme after a distinguished Ireland career.

Those who have expressed concern at the big drop out rate between youth and under 21 competition will be reassured by the FAI's move. Equally however there will be genuine concern that within a fortnight of being appointed McCarthy has been rebuffed for a second time by the association.

Even before the official announcement of his appointment the FAI had back tracked on their original commitment to a four year contract and instead offered McCarthy just two years in which to impose his mark on the squad.

For most observers two years is too short and that point appeared to be conceded by the FAI president Louis Kilcoyne when he spoke of the job specification at the start of the succession stakes.

What has happened at the intervening period can only be interpreted as an attempt by the association to avoid what happened during the Charlton years when they were seen to have surrendered control of the national team to the manager and by extension much of the responsibility for the image of the association.

Others may interpret it differently but to the power brokers of the association that was interpreted as a derogation of responsibility and a cause for immediate remedial action on the appointment of a new manager.