The story appears on

Page A16

November 22, 2018

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Sports

Ireland parts ways with O’Neill, Keane

Ireland has parted company with manager Martin O’Neill and his assistant Roy Keane after a run of six matches without victory, the country’s Football Association said.

Their last game in charge was a turgid 0-0 draw with Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on Monday.

“I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for the impact that they had with the Ireland team,” FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said yesterday.

“There have been many highlights during Martin’s reign — none more so than Euro 2016 in France, which will live long in the memory of all Irish supporters.”

Former Leicester City and Celtic manager O’Neill was appointed in November 2013 and had 55 games in charge.

When O’Neill was appointed to replace veteran Italian Giovanni Trapattoni, and former Manchester United midfielder and Ireland international Keane joined him, it was seen as a “dream team” to revive Ireland’s fortunes after it missed out on the 2014 World Cup.

The early signs were encouraging with Ireland qualifying for the Euro 2016 Championship after beating Bosnia in a playoff. Ireland then progressed to the last 16 after a group stage win over Italy.

Its run was ended by a 1-2 defeat to hosts France.

Ireland reached a playoff for this year’s World Cup in Russia but was thrashed 5-1 at home by Denmark, having drawn the first leg 0-0 in Copenhagen.

Since then, however, results have been disappointing and it finished bottom of its Nations League group, losing home and away to Wales and drawing 0-0 twice with Denmark.

It failed to win a competitive match in 2018 or to score in O’Neill’s last four games in charge, yet the 66-year-old remained bullish earlier this week. “The players are getting used to each other. When it comes to the big games I think we’ll be ready,” O’Neill said after the draw with Denmark.

Former United midfielder Keane won 67 caps for Ireland.

The FAI said its board would meet to discuss the process of recruiting a new manager. Ideally it would like to have one in place before the Euro 2020 qualifying stage draw in Dublin on December 2.

Former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is one of the favorites to replace O’Neill.




 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend