By David Lee Wheatley
Following links with several potential managers, the Republic of Ireland are set to appoint Martin O'Neill as the new man entrusted with taking the nation to the European Championships of 2016.
Former boss Mick McCarthy was also heavily linked with a return to the role, but it seems clear favourite O'Neill has always been the number one option.
The Northern Irishman appears the right age for an international job and certainly holds the requisite experience to handle the task. However, his tactical approach doesn't represent a departure from the familiar sight of Irish sides from the past employing a direct style and hitting more technically-gifted teams on the break.
A sensational development this morning suggests ex-captain Roy Keane will team up with his fellow former Sunderland manager in the position of assistant. Keane's mooted installment back in the Republic fold would provide him with a shot at redemption after that much-publicised falling out with Mick McCarthy and the FAI during the 2002 World Cup in South Korea. Having stormed out of the camp and throwing away his last opportunity of leading the nation to tournament success, many will be massively surprised to see him back.
Despite the lack of flair and invention on offer from O'Neill's teams over the years, there'll definitely be an upturn in motivation for the players he picks due to the 61-year-old's legendary man-management skills when compared with the rather mismatched characters of outgoing head coach Giovanni Trapattoni and the Irish people, media and players. The Kilrea-born boss will be able to identify with his men in a way that the Italian elder statesman simply could not.
And the debate over whether Ireland should pursue a change of direction from the tired and trusted ways of playing each game is governed by the choice of footballers open to the manager. Going for a new boss with a penchant for passing, attacking football wouldn't fit with the majority of Republic internationals currently plying their trade mainly in the top two divisions of English football. What the FAI need is a man who knows how to push players on to produce their best performances within a rigid system based on defensive organisation and direct attack; who better than Martin O'Neill to undertake that remit?
Although his 18-month stint in charge of boyhood heroes Sunderland ended in dramatic failure, O'Neill had fantastic success at Wycombe Wanderers, Leicester City, Celtic and Aston Villa previously and will bring a wealth of experience to bear on a squad that will be reinvigorated by the leadership qualities of the likeable European Cup winner from his Nottingham Forest playing days.
Plus, Roy Keane still possesses that great aura which surrounded him as one of the very best midfielders in the world during his time controlling the all-conquering Manchester United side of the 1990s. With that level of inspiration emanating from the duo, die-hard Irish football supporters will be hugely expectant of a return to the days when upsetting illustrious rivals on the biggest of stages became the norm.
Jack Charlton was the last man to truly harness that spirit within the country, which was only fleetingly revisited under McCarthy, and Martin O'Neill would truly cement a place alongside Charlton in the hearts of the nation should he facilitate a resumption of those glory days of yore.
Twitter: @davewh1980
