Soccer

Mick McCarthy remains favourite to replace Martin O’Neill

Robbie Keane could get coaching role while outgoing O’Neill releases statement

Mick McCarthy remains favourite to replace Martin O’Neill as Republic of Ireland manager. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Thu Nov 22 2018 - 10:01

Mick McCarthy remains the favourite to replace Martin O’Neill as the Republic of Ireland manager.

And he could bring Robbie Keane back into the international set-up as one of his coaches, according to reports.

McCarthy held the Ireland role from 1996-2002, guiding the side to the 2002 World Cup in Japan & South Korea, where they reached the last-16.

He has been out of work since April, when he left Championship club Ipswich Town following a six-year spell at Portman Road.

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Keane, Ireland’s record goalscorer, was handed his first Ireland cap by McCarthy in 1998 against the Czech Republic.

And the duo could be brought back together following Wednesday’s departure of Martin O’Neill following five years at the helm.

After it was announced O’Neill would step down, the 66-year-old released a statement via the League Managers’ Association.

It read: “I have had the great honour of managing the Republic of Ireland National football team for the past five years and it is with a heavy heart that I leave this role.

“It was one of my lifetime ambitions to take charge of the Irish Senior squad and I would like to thank the FAI Board for giving me that opportunity.

“I will not forget the night in Lille when we beat Italy to secure the nation’s best ever achievement in the Euros competition, the terrific night we beat the World Champions Germany at home in Dublin, or James McClean’s goal in that euphoric win against Wales in Cardiff that put us through to the play-offs for this year’s World Cup.

“The Irish fans have been a source of motivation to myself, the team and the whole backroom staff, embodying the passionate Irish spirit, and I thank them for their fervent support of the team.

“I am also very proud of the relationships I have built with the players, who have carried that very same spirit, imbued by the fans, onto the field of play.

"A special thanks to Roy Keane my assistant, an inspirational figure in the world of football, Seamus McDonagh, Steve Guppy and Steve Walford for their brilliant contributions and to those backroom staff at the FAI that were of enormous help to me.

“Knowing that the past year would be a transitional phase for the squad, I have capped twelve new players in the last nine games, with the aim that they become significant international contributors in the coming campaign.

“To the players, I reserve great praise and admiration for the phenomenal commitment they have shown whilst wearing the Irish shirt.

“Having had these great experiences in my spell as the Irish international manager, I am looking forward to my next adventure in football.”

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