Roy Keane being appointed as the next Republic of Ireland Manager is exactly what Irish football needs to bring the excitement back.
That is according to Didi Hamann who regularly appears on RTÉ as part of their coverage of Republic of Ireland games.
The former German international also gave us his take on the appointment of John O’Shea as interim manager of the Irish national team along with his insight into what Liverpool was like during Cheltenham week and why the current feud involving 3 former Liverpool stars needs to end.
High Chance John O’Shea Gets Rep. of Ireland Job Full-Time
John O’Shea is not the worst choice. Neil Lennon and Lee Carsley were the front runners I think and I said I’d speak to Roy Keane to see if he’s interested in the job, but that obviously didn’t materialise.
But John has gained some experience from being an assistant to the old manager and he’s a very smart, young up-and-coming manager. He was a brilliant player and very reliable with plenty of experience.
With the national team now you have to create a feel-good atmosphere that everyone loves joining up with. John can do that and I wouldn’t bet against it if he were to get the job full-time, obviously, they have some games coming up now in March and I don’t know what they want to do, they had a long time to find a manager and going into these with an interim manager is a bit strange, but at the same time it makes me think that he’s going to keep the job and I don’t think that he would be the worst choice.
*John O’Shea is 9/1 to be the next permanent Republic of Ireland Manager according to the latest football betting odds at BoyleSports.
Roy Keane A Good Fit To Be Next Rep. of Ireland Manager
On Roy Keane, a big part of managing anywhere is respect. If the players have respect for you then you have got a much better chance. I think that Roy has mellowed a bit over the years, he said some things as an assistant that he probably wouldn’t say if he was in charge of the team. As an assistant, it’s a little bit easier to say things because the decision is made by somebody else.
He would be a good fit because the fans have had some fire games over the last few years and what football in Ireland needs is a buzz, somebody to come in who makes fans want to get back to the Aviva and get behind the team because there weren't too many games where I think the fans went home happy in the last couple of years and that has to change.
*Roy Keane is 20/1 to become the next Republic of Ireland Manager per the latest football odds at BoyleSports.
What Liverpool Was Like During Cheltenham Week
During my playing days, Cheltenham always fell during a Champions League week so we would have a midweek game and there was no chance to go there. I’ve been once or twice since I finished playing and I have to say it was very busy!
I’ve always followed it and have been fascinated by racehorses, they are fantastic animals. Mike had a love for it and he built the stables near Chester, and I’ve been quite a few times watching the horses on the gallops as we had some horses together. It’s just a good time and a nice way to relax.
You train in the morning so you can go home and I watched the odd race, when you finish in the day you get a chance to watch the races sometimes at Cheltenham, I don’t think the managers mind what players do, I’m not sure if it’s the same these days but you have to get your mind away from football, if you think about it too much you can drain energy. Anything you can to get your mind away from it helps.
Mike always came in with the Bible, the Racing Post, and we all had a look. It's helpful sometimes for football too, because the bookies very rarely get it wrong. Sometimes when they say your chances are a certain way to win a game, or a trophy, we’d be interested.
If I get a chance I might watch one or two races. I have an interest in the Triumph Hurdle, so I’ll be watching that and the Gold Cup.
*Bet on all the action at the Cheltenham Festival with our Cheltenham odds at BoyleSports.
The Better Player — Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler?
Fowler and Owen are different players, the only thing I would say is that when I came in 1999 Robbie had a pretty bad injury, he had an achilles problem and an operation. They had to open it again and I feel as though he was never the same after that injury. The Fowler who scored the goals at Old Trafford scored goals as he was a brilliant finisher, but that Robbie of old never really came back. When I came I don’t think he was the same afterwards.
Mike was a bit similar but I watched him having his best years, I think it was 2001 he won the Ballon d’Or. He was the golden boy who had pace to burn. I wouldn’t say who was better than who but Owen has a point in saying he was picked for Liverpool, picked for England and won the Ballon d’Or which Robbie hasn’t done.
But both are brilliant players with different strengths, but Mike had his injury problems after he left and he probably wasn’t the same after he left, so I wouldn’t like to call one better than the other. Two of the best in Europe at the time.
The Steven Gerrard & Jamie Carragher Feud With El Hadji Diouf
At the time I wouldn’t say they disliked each other, in any squad you have one or two players you are really good mates with and the rest are just normal working relationships. It’s just the way it is.
We had quite a few French-speaking players. Dioufy was part of that group at the time, they respected each other and worked together and pulled in the same direction. Even if you don’t like each other you just have to get on with it.
I don’t think there were too many problems at the time, some players had a go at him when he spat at a kid at Parkhead when we played Celtic away but I always got on with him because he came as a centre forward, but he played most of his games on the right-hand side and when he played we always had a better flow to our game because he was technically brilliant. He had pace and never gave the ball away, I always got on with him, he was a bit mad but I never had a problem with him.
I’ve got to say that I quite enjoyed playing with him and he had a brilliant World Cup in 2002, everybody knew about him. But I can’t really comment as I always enjoyed playing with him.
What happened afterwards? I think someone said something in a book that got a reaction but I think they should all leave it out. They were all brilliant players. Get on with it.
*Prices subject to fluctuation.
Remember, always gamble responsibly . Here’s our Safer Gambling Guide .
