The East Anglian Daily Times have extensive coverage of Mick McCarthy's press conference for Ipswich yesterday where the subject of him taking over as Ireland manager was discussed and as usual with Mick, there are some lovely soundbites and perhaps more unusually; some cryptic comments.
Mick starts strong
“If somebody asks me the question, officially, then I’ll tell them my answer. I haven’t been asked the question though and until that happens I’m not going to talk about it.”
He then goes on to talk about it:
“It’s a marker of the job I did in Ireland that I’m supposedly favourite. That’s nice isn’t it? That’s lovely.
He then whips out an old classic:
“I had to put my backside in the bacon slicer by taking on a team that were bottom of the table with just seven points. I did it and I’ve done a good job. We’re doing reasonable this year, we’re doing alright.
“I can’t help speculation. Until someone asks me the question, which might never happen, then there is no answer to give.
“I love being here, I love my job, I really do love being here. I’m not asking for it, I’m not courting it, I’m not trying to do anything with it. I’m going to be down there in that dugout breaking my balls to beat Burnley for me and everyone else associated with the club.”
He just wants the question:
“I’m not ruling myself in or out. It might be that I’d just like to be asked so I can say yes. It might be that I’d just like to be asked so I can say no. I haven’t been asked.”
It's understandable that Mick wants to be asked and wants to be courted a bit. Given the way things ended last time, the cathartic release of being seen as some sort of elixir for all of our woes must be great. The momentum is growing and there is a sense of inevitability that it is to Mick we'll turn to.
There is also the inevitability that it won't take long for the arse to be back in the bacon slicer.
(EADT)
