Did the FAI make the right move in appointing former Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson as the new Republic of Ireland Manager?
Dwight Yorke, who is now managing and best known for his success at Man United, believes that the FAI had a clear-cut opportunity in the shape of the country’s record goalscorer.
Yorke also chatted to us about his relationship with Roy Keane, why Man United shouldn’t bring him in as a coach and the type of player that Man United need to bring into their squad.
Rep. of Ireland Had Clear-Cut Option in Robbie Keane Before Heimir Hallgrimsson Appointment
Nothing surprises me in football, I’ve just applied for the Jamaica job so Heimir Hallgrimsson leaving has given me that opportunity.
In terms of Ireland, John O'Shea wasn’t experienced in that department having had a few coaching jobs, not done anything remarkable with it.
You’ve also got Robbie Keane who's come off a really successful campaign in Israel and is their all-time record goalscorer so that looked like a clear-cut opportunity for them.
With Roy Keane, I’ve always believed that he's not a great manager in the sense of the Premier League level and dealing with that intensity on a daily basis.
But I certainly believe that he has the attributes to be a good international manager.
I won't say a part-time job because it's not, but it’s not as full-on as a club manager. They have taken us by surprise and looked at a different option in Hallgrimsson but nothing should surprise us in football.
Why Man United Should Steer Clear of Bringing in Roy Keane as Coach
Manchester United should steer clear of bringing Roy Keane in as an assistant coach if Steve McClaren leaves.
I think he has the potential to be a good manager. I don't think he wants to go in as a number two and undermine managers anymore.
He did that at Aston Villa under Paul Lambert and that didn't work out too well, you hear the horrific stories about his time as a number two. He's just not that way inclined.
He's a leader. He's always been a leader and he likes to demand from his players and lead from the front and I don't think that would be a good fit if he was to go as a number two.
In terms of Steve McClaren, well, he's had a few lives and he's still going. He's got back in the door with United and he's still there as part of the backroom staff.
Although the Nigeria job might be a job that will interest a few people, I'm not so sure. I think he's relatively good at Manchester United, providing that they can build on last season.
It's a big ask for Steve and I'm a little bit baffled by the fact that he's linked to the job.
Man United Are Crying out for Another Roy Keane in Their Squad
Manchester United are crying out for a new Roy Keane, but at the same time you don't have to be a Roy Keane to be a good leader.
Roy Keane and Bryan Robson and past captains, they're different. There’s a different type of leadership quality now to what was required back then.
Football was tough, hard, roll your sleeves up, get stuck in, wired in, kick a few people, punch a few people back in the day. That's how football was.
Football is no longer that way so leadership is not made up that way. You don't have to be a hard soul to be a good leader. I think they have to be clever in terms of leadership.
I think when you pick a captain it has to be someone who's going to play 95% of the time in your team. When he is fit, Bruno Fernandes picks himself. Outside of that, there's no one else.
Luke Shaw is injury prone, Harry Maguire looks to be on his way out. When you look around, there are no other good options there. So I would think they will stick with Bruno.
I think he's got a different way of being a leader. It's not ideal for everybody, but it is probably the best option Manchester United have got.
He has to take a little bit more responsibility because maybe his acting on the pitch is not ideal, so they're going to have to try and educate him a little bit more.
He's been there long enough to know exactly what he needs to do so he's a senior player within that rank.
Me and Roy Keane Won’t Go for Dinner – But He Can Phone Me if He Needs Me
Me and Keano are good, I don't have an issue with any of my former team-mates. Everybody knows that I was a happy-go-lucky individual in that dressing room and I didn’t have an issue with any of my teammates.
I've never had a fallout with anyone and I think that relationship is pretty much the same with Keano.
In terms of being mates, we don't call each other, but if he ever needs something he can pick up the phone and give me a call, as I would call him too.
It’s not to the level of going for a drink or let's meet up for dinner or something like that. But if we're in the same vicinity or we come across each other, there is mutual respect there - that's how I like it.
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