Thu Sep 12 07:21:34 UTC 2024: ## Ireland’s Shambolic Managerial Search Leaves Team Facing Uphill Battle: Given
**Dublin, Ireland** – Former Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given has launched a scathing attack on the FAI’s handling of the men’s national team manager search, criticizing the “shambolic” process that led to Heimir Hallgrimsson’s appointment 231 days after Stephen Kenny’s departure.
Given expressed his frustration at the delayed appointment, highlighting the lack of preparation time for Hallgrimsson, who has only had a week with the team. “The whole process of getting the manager in place was, I don’t know what the right word is, shambolic,” Given said. “He [Hallgrimsson] has come out with quotes this week saying he’s just getting to know people, which is fine. But we have had four friendlies [between Kenny’s departure and Hallgrimsson’s appointment].”
Given also questioned the timing of the appointment, stressing the importance of having a manager in place during friendly matches to prepare for crucial games like the England match. “The guy should have been in place, be it the right guy or the wrong guy, whoever you want to pick, but get him in place earlier,” he added.
The former Ireland captain also highlighted potential alternative candidates like Robbie Keane and Damien Duff, emphasizing the FAI’s lack of foresight in selecting a manager earlier. “There were other candidates out there. Roy Keane and Neil Lennon got mentioned, strong managers in their own right. Duffer is doing a good job, Robbie Keane won the Israeli league.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Alan Browne acknowledged the team’s current struggles and warned fans to brace themselves for a difficult international window in June. “It doesn’t get easier and that is especially why we need to be winning that game,” Browne said regarding the loss to Greece. “The England one was always going to be a tough ask with their quality, we never really looked like winning that. And then Greece, this was the one we needed to be winning to keep ourselves in a good position and we failed to do so.”
Browne expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome the challenges, but emphasized the need for improvement. “It will be a tough month but we always go away, come back and reflect on it and go into the camp with confidence. But we do really need to be doing better. We need to step up in these games.”
As the Irish team faces an uphill battle in its Nations League campaign, the FAI’s delayed managerial appointment continues to raise concerns and questions about the direction of the team. With two defeats in their opening two games, the Irish team is facing a difficult task to turn their fortunes around.
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