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22nd Nov 2018

Mick McCarthy to be named next Republic of Ireland manager, according to reports

Carl Kinsella

Mick McCarthy

Reports have emerged that Mick McCarthy is set to be offered the Republic of Ireland managerial job.

RTÉ is reporting that Mick McCarthy, who originally managed the Republic of Ireland between 1996 and 2002, will replace Martin O’Neill — who yesterday parted ways with the FAI by mutual agreement.

Under McCarthy, Ireland narrowly failed to qualify for the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 — before qualifying for the 2002 World Cup before going out on penalties in the last-16.

The 59-year-old manager is also credited with bringing through some top Irish talent over the years, including Ian Harte, Richard Dunne, Shay Given, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane.

McCarthy’s first tenure as manager of the Republic of Ireland was not without controversy. He was manager during the infamous Saipan incident, where perceived poor preparation for the World Cup saw captain Roy Keane leave the set up just days before the campaign kicked off.

McCarthy was eventually sacked later that year after a string of poor results. Since then McCarthy, who also played as a centre-half for the Republic of Ireland, has managed at Sunderland, Wolves and Ipswich.

It is expected that McCarthy will enter into discussions with the FAI over taking on the role ahead of Ireland’s qualification campaign for the European Championships in 2020.

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mick mccarthy