Dara O'Shea: We just want a manager who understands Irish football
Ireland’s 2018 win over USA was supposed to mark the guard changing with John O’Shea bowing out and Declan Rice tipped for leadership in his absence.
During the run-up to his 118th and final cap on that June evening, it was widely felt the teen would join O’Shea in the centurion club. The veteran spoke of Rice as the future skipper.
Tonight sees the midfielder finally don the armband alright – but for England – while it could be the final time O’Shea manages his country. Sometimes life doesn't seem fair.
Loyal servant O’Shea was never going to reject an invite to assume caretaker charge when the phonecall came four weeks ago from director of football Marc Canham.
Whatever glitch prevented the FAI from announcing their permanent successor to Stephen Kenny necessitated a Plan B with the clock ticking towards this window.
Needs must. Last September, as the Kenny era descended to the point of no return from defeats to France and Netherlands, the brains trust of the FAI assessed their options.
Although a clause to sack the incumbent without full compensation liable was sensibly inserted into his 2022 contract extension, alternatives were scarce.
Lee Carsley had begun another qualifying campaign managing England’s U21 Euro champions and O'Shea lack of managerial experience turned the powerbrokers off assigning Kenny’s latest No 3 the task of completing the year on an interim basis.
He’s since expanded his coaching portfolio with a rather bruising end to his spell flanking Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City.
The FAI needed a stopgap and O’Shea was available and willing to oblige.
So far, so steady. No gaffes, disputes, disquiet or rumblings and, after 93 minutes against the team situated fourth in the world, an unbeaten
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