This week, the interesting but potentially brief John O'Shea Ireland era will begin with a game against Belgium on Saturday, March 23. Ireland will then play Switzerland three days later, on March 26.
A number of interesting narratives will take place during these two games. Will John O'Shea put his hat in the ring for the Ireland job full-time? Will Sammie Szmodics make his debut and score? Will Ireland play good football, and will other interesting potential narratives also take place over the following days?
This month, we spoke to former Irish striker Kevin Doyle for the Irish Post about the Ireland games, the next Ireland boss being Lee Carsley or Gus Poyet, Damien Duff's chances of being a future Boys in Green boss, and Sammie Szmodic's impending debut for Ireland.
Here's the full chat:
"In the chase for a new Ireland manager, what's your take on the process? It seems a bit farcical from a fan's perspective."
Kevin Doyle: "It's very clear that they have wanted Lee Carsley for a long time and thought they could get him, but couldn't. I suppose, from my point of view, there's no real panic," he said to
"I recall from the last press conference that they had someone lined up now, and the way the games were, it didn't matter if they got him in the first month or the last month.
"There's nothing serious to consider until September, and it's more important to get the right one instead of getting someone in there just for the sake of it."
"Do you think Lee Carsley will be the one to take the job, considering the suspension of betting on him?"
Kevin Doyle: "I don't know; Lee has never come out and said anything. Has anyone asked him? I've never seen him deny any of this since being linked to the role."
(This has since changed.)
Lee Carsley was tipped to take over from Stephen Kenny (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images). )"Who else do you think could potentially get the job?"
Kevin Doyle: "There's another linked to the job, you know, the Georgia manager whose name escapes me, Willy Sagnol; that's it. His contract is up in a few weeks, but it would be a left-field choice," he added.
"Gus Poyet could be one because he's played Ireland twice, he knows the team, and they taught us a lesson twice. His contract is up, and when you put it like that, it can only be the likes of Willy Sagnol, Gus Poyet, or Lee Carsley at the end of it.
"I suppose either one I wouldn't mind, Carsley or Poyet. Carsley has done well in his first international job, while Poyet has more international experience and knows Ireland inside out. He beat us twice with a team that, on paper, is no better than ours. They comprehensively beat us.
"John O'Shea would be an interesting one too because I know he played under Poyet, so the fact that he's in there now could be linked to Poyet getting the job. I don't know."
"What qualities would you consider important in a new manager? Would it be something like Stephen Kenny's focus on youth or a more cohesive playing style?"
Kevin Doyle: "Well, underage with the Ireland team; we have never had better. We are competitive in all age groups. Regarding the international football style, no matter who we get now, it won't come down to booting it up the field, so I just want us to be competitive and have a chance to qualify.
"I don't expect us to qualify for any campaign, but just be in the mix with that last month or two and give people a bit of hope. I think that no matter who is in charge, there will be players who will play football. They know how to play, and it will be okay.
"It's not going to be like France because of the population and the amount of sport we play. However, we can be a decently competitive international team. The minimum for me is to be competitive near the end of a campaign."
"Would you have ever envisioned John O'Shea becoming a managerial figure during your time playing together?"
Kevin Doyle: "Yeah, yeah, I would have definitely. Some people think that the captain needs to be shouting and roaring, and John was never like that. He thinks about things and goes about them quite quietly. Since he's retired, he's been involved in clubs and has been the assistant manager.
"This is a good start for him, bringing in the likes of Brian Kerr, who has great experience. He knows football inside and out, and contrary to what people believe, he's actually a forward-thinking manager. I've been in some of the Irish squads, and you know he will help him.
"If they beat the likes of Belgium and Switzerland, stranger things have happened before. It wouldn't surprise me if they just left him there."
"What do you think of Damien Duff as a potential future Irish manager?"
Kevin Doyle: "I don't think he'd take it now. I've seen him in interviews, and he seems to be 100% with Shelbourne right now. He's doing a great job there. Like John O'Shea, an Irish star with 100 caps, he was a great footballer too. He's also proven to be a great coach.
"Yeah, I could see that if he continues on this trajectory, he could become an Ireland manager. I'm sure he'd love it. However, I think now he knows that it's better to stay where he is and progress before jumping into the deep end. It is clear, though, that he'd like it. How could he not want to manage his country?"
"What's your opinion on Sammie Szmodics potentially being called up to the Ireland squad?"
Kevin Doyle: "He got called up before, didn't he, and he pulled out through injury. I'm not sure of the exact reason why he didn't sign up.
"He's had a fantastic season, but we have lots of players like that. He's not going to change the world. However, it's better to have him than not, and if he's having a good season and he's in form, why not?
"I'm not sure if O'Shea will play him in two games. It's another player blooded. We have had a lot of players blooded, and that's all we seem to do. We have done it for the last three or four years, and we pat ourselves on the back for blooding players.
"I think John will stick with lads who have been there and done that, experienced lads. Over the last few years, plenty of young players have gotten caps. I would imagine he will keep it fairly simple and not try to introduce new people to the set when he's only got two games."
"It wasn't even a decision for me... I've been fully focused on getting into the camps and into the squads"
Sammie Szmodics put to bed any suggestions that he might have looked to join up with Hungary as he addressed the media in Dublin today. pic.twitter.com/qZZxcCRYY5— AllIrishSport (@AllIrishSport) March 19, 2024
