Although he served his country with such distinction on the football field, Richard Dunne is not expecting any favours from the Football Association of Ireland as he seeks to attain his coaching badges later this year.
Set for a stint in Belfast where he will work with the Irish Football Association instead, the former Manchester City man has serious reservations about the manner his native association go about their business.
Living in Monaco now with his family, Dunne spoke to The Times about the fundamental issue bothering him:
It left me thinking the FAI is not bothered if [Martin O'Neill] speaks to anybody else.
Martin O’Neill is not bothered if he signs for Ireland or signs for Stoke. He was supposed to sign for Everton, he was supposed to sign for Stoke, so why should we be bothered?
Having confirmed his international retirement in 2014, Dunne never worked under the current managerial structure of O'Neill and his assistant, Roy Keane.
Demonstrating the kind of indifference that many Irish fans felt amid the rumours that O'Neill was set to takeover from Mark Hughes at Stoke City, such doubts have scarcely been alleviated in the weeks following.
With O'Neill appearing one bad result/one irresistible offer away from leaving his role as the Irish manager, Dunne highlighted the relatively modest desires most fans have for their national side:
The fans just want the manager to be committed and the players to perform and they want us to qualify.
I don’t think beating Turkey or France or the USA in friendlies over the next few months is going to do anything for the enthusiasm.
That will have to wait for the qualifiers because people will have to mourn over the summer while we all watch the World Cup.
