Republic of Ireland: Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane leave respective roles as manager and assistant manager

Republic of Ireland: Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane leave respective roles as manager and assistant manager
Martin O’Neill has left his role as Republic of Ireland manager.The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) announced on Wednesday morning that O’Neill had departed by mutual consent after five years in charge.2

Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane have led Ireland since 2013

Assistant manager Roy Keane, goalkeeping coachSeamus McDonagh and assistant coach Steve Guppy have also left their positions.FAI President Donal Conway said: On behalf of the FAI Board, I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for their work with the Republic of Ireland team over the last five years.Martin ensured that we enjoyed some great nights in the Aviva Stadium and on the road in Lille, Vienna, and Cardiff, which were fantastic high points for Irish football.Appointed as Giovanni Trapattoni’s replacement in November 2013, O’Neill led Ireland to qualification for Euro 2016.They went on to enjoy their best ever showing at a European Championship, stunning Italy and emerging from a tough group to reach the last 16, where they were beaten by eventual finalists France.2

Martin O’Neill celebrates with Robbie Brady after his famous winner for Ireland against Italy at Euro 2016

Ireland finished second in their 2018 World Cup qualifying group but missed out on a place in last summer’s finals by losing to Denmark in a play-off.Their form has subsequently nosedived, with just one victory in their last 11 matches.A 0-0 draw against Denmark made it four games without a goal for the Republic and saw them finish last in their Nations League group, prompting O’Neill’s departure.FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said: I would like to thank Martin, Roy, and the management team for the impact that they had with the Ireland team. There have been many highlights during Martins reign none more so than Euro 2016 in France, which will live long in the memory of all Irish supporters.Martin did a great job guiding the team out of a difficult qualifying group where we beat World Champions Germany along the way to reach Euro 2016 and advance to the Last-16 following a historic victory over Italy in Lille. I wish Martin, and the management team, the very best for the future. Since they beat Wales 1-0 in Cardiff to book their play-off berth, Ireland have played 11 games and won only one of them, and that a 2-1 friendly victory over the United States in June which was clinched with a last-gasp winner.Perhaps more worryingly, they have not scored a single goal in 397 minutes – approaching seven hours – of football amid growing dismay over the perceived negativity of O’Neill’s approach.In mitigation, he has lost big figures in Irish football from his squad in recent seasons, with the retirement from international football of the likes of Shay Given, Kevin Kilbane, Richard Dunne, John O’Shea, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane, while, more recently, long-term injuries have robbed him of skipper Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady.However, the ultra-conservative approach his team has taken towards the end of his reign as he has tried to blood a new generation of players has not been well received and, as results have dipped, he has been increasingly unable to justify the means by the ends.

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