The news that filtered through today that Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane will have a new contract offered to them - taking them through the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign - has seen a negative reaction from a vocal section of Ireland fans.
We've seen it first hand from the comments and responses to the report on our social media pages, there are many Irish fans who are fed up and want a new manager in charge, and some are disgusted with the suggestion that they should be kept on for another go.
Of course, they do not speak for all Irish fans and many of them have had their opinion questioned, with the most common objection being "Who else is there?", so that's why we've decided to have a look at the options and ponder if the grass really would be greener with someone else at the helm.
This is not to call for the sacking of O'Neill, far from it, but if we are going to talk about him possibly not staying on past next summer, then we should consider who the alternatives are.
We've tried to look for candidates who would definitely be interested, and would be realistic for the FAI to approach them, so that rules out Michael O'Neill who has been mentioned by many fans jealous of the success Northern Ireland have enjoyed lately. Not gonna happen.
Mick McCarthy
Pros: Clearly wants the job, familiar with the setup, experience.
Cons: Been there, done that.
It's clear that Mick feels there is unfinished business for him and international management for the manner in which things ended; in a way that looks hasty looking back. When you think of some of the football we played under McCarthy it's easy to understand why some long for his return, but could our current crop of players enjoy positive results in the occasionally swashbuckling style we did back then?
He is the in-form manager in this discussion as his Ipswich Town side have enjoyed an outstanding start to the Championship season, but would he be able to generate better results than what we had up until this catastrophic last week?
It remains to be seen, but as long as he remains interested his name will continue to pop up.
Stephen Kenny
Pros: Progress with Dundalk, knows Irish football.
Cons: Unproven outside of LOI.
One of the most common suggestions when an O'Neill successor is being discussed, Kenny's work with Dundalk on their Europa League campaign last season clearly turned a lot of heads, and Michael O'Neill alone should be enough to dismiss the idea that League of Ireland managers can't make the step to international management, but would Kenny even be considered?
He should be. His Dundalk side were the underdog in almost all of their Champions/Europa League games in the last two seasons, and not only were they competitive, but they played some bloody nice football too.
The issue is whether or not the FAI would trust him with the top job in Irish football, and it seems unlikely with the frosty relationship between the league and the association. It seems that like the players, he's going to have to get a gig in England first.
Roy Keane
Pros: Players love him, can't sign anyone.
Cons: Same problems we have now, unproven as international manager.
It is widely believed that Roy Keane is the Ireland manager in waiting, and that his involvement with O'Neill as assistant manager was to make that transition seamless. Things were looking good up until the poor run of results in 2017, and now it seems as though many fans feel a change in thinking is required.
The players love working with Roy Keane, and if he was Ireland boss there would be no worrying about his activity in the transfer market that has proven to be his undoing in club management, but could he get more out of the players we currently have?
It's unlikely because it's hard to imagine Martin O'Neill is holding him back, so the biggest factor working against Keano if he wants the Ireland job is the continuity of the current setup when a change is desired.
Chris Hughton
Pros: Clearly talented manager, linked with job for years.
Cons: Currently managing in the Premier League.
It's hard to remember a time when the name of Chris Hughton was not brought up any time there was an appointment to be made by the FAI, as he is someone who has proven his ability to set up good, organised sides without the resources of his rivals.
We couldn't consider him if we were looking for a new manager now, as he has taken Brighton & Hove Albion to the Premier League and isn't about to ditch that project, but as O'Neill's time would have been ending in the summer of 2018 had he not been offered a new deal, there's a possibility he could have been sacked by then due to the cut-throat nature of Premier League football.
Certainly one to consider long term, he has to get his chance some day, right?
David Moyes (or similar)
Pros: Desire to rebuild reputation, experience, could suit international management.
Cons: Public outrage, depressing post-match interviews, memes.
Could you imagine the reaction? There would be outrage.
Probably the least likely of all the candidates here, Moyes' presence on this list is to represent the inevitable search for a 'big name' that would follow any vacancy at the manager's position.
At this point in time you'd have to feel that Moyes would welcome the challenge of international football to rebuild his reputation. Chris Coleman is a good example of someone who has seen their stock rise unquestionably after struggles in the club game, and Moyes would know that a few big results would see him linked with Premier League vacancies.
However, were he to be appointed, Irish fans would be unhappy, and it's hard to imagine the players would be thrilled by the prospect either. Other examples like this include Alan Pardew and Sam Allardyce, but the feeling in the pit of this writer's stomach when linking them to a potential Ireland job just isn't worth it.
As always, we are welcome to any suggestons you may have. If O'Neill and Keane do indeed stay on, as it looks like they will, then it's not something we have to worry about for another campaign at last, but they won't in charge forever..
