Mick McCarthy’s unveiling was more than simply 'an unveiling'; it was more complex than that, puzzling perhaps - a sort of prelude to a political war that will continue until and perhaps beyond next year.
Both McCarthy and Stephen Kenny have remained courteous and cordial while under public scrutiny; they've been utterly respectful of one another, understanding the need for a rapport. But make no mistake about it, both men want the same thing, whether McCarthy cares to admit it or not. In a sense, it’s political warfare, the kind of relationship you see between party politicians, vying for that same position of power. A leadership contest within football.
On the path towards taking the coveted job on a permanent basis McCarthy stole an early lead, the narrative just happening to suit his own managerial ambitions as he returned for a second stint in the hot seat.
What happens if McCarthy achieves beyond expectations?
Can we get rid of him if he delivers?
If all goes well with Mick, why change?
But just over six months into a two-year programme Stephen Kenny has taken the lead, biding his time before only now proving his worth - albeit with an underage side.
There are no opinion polls - a fundamental feature of the political tapestry - for this type of contest, so public morale remains the sole barometer. With that in mind, Kenny, only now, seems to have gained an edge on his friendly adversary.
That the senior role is far from guaranteed to Kenny after 2020 has become a well-acknowledged fact, especially considering the one-man junta pivotal in the construction of the deal has disappeared on gardening leave.
That leaves a confused boardroom to deal with another situation they probably had little to do with in the first place.
Therefore amidst all the inadequacies, the public will most likely deliver the casting vote on who lands - or keeps - the keys to the main gaffer’s office, the FAI happy provided the public are. They hardly need the grief
Witticisms and charm helped McCarthy during his early tenure as he endeared himself to fans and hacks alike, a stark contrast to the Martin O'Neill age of brickbats; all the while the more phlegmatic Kenny waited for his opportunity, only getting his first taste of competitive international management as under-21 manager these past few weeks .
The underage side's victory over the senior side, friendly or no friendly, two weeks ago was Kenny’s first major victory in this imperceptible contest off the pitch, and the subsequent performances of his team in the south of France, finishing fourth after today's third-place play-off, only strengthens his hand going forward. His tenure hasn’t be flawless, but it hasn’t been far off. As good as could have been expected, you might say. A solid 9/10, to put a rating on it.
The 2-0 loss against Brazil, for instance, was in many ways more impressive than the senior's 2-0 win against Gibraltar, though that’s a statement not to be confused with stating a loss is superior to a win; both results simply require a modicum of perspective.
The Selecao goalscorers on Wednesday, 18-year-old Paulinho and 20-year-old Matheus Cunha, have been playing regularly for Bayer Leverkusen and Leipzig respectively in Germany, appearing also in Europe, with the former having arrived in the Bundesliga for a fee around the €20 million mark.
Matheus Cunha, meanwhile, arrived at Leipzig for a not-to-be-scoffed-at fee of €15 million.
Gibraltar’s outfit, to draw a distinct comparison, are made up of part-time footballers, and despite that McCarthy’s side needed a generous serving of luck to see David McGoldrick’s effort deflect in.
Without the deflection, would the game in Ballsbridge have unfolded the way it did and, with that, would the visitors have succumbed to a late goal?
Back in France, of the sides competing at the prestigious under-21 tournament - names like Ruben Loftus Cheek, Jack Grealish and James Rodríguez have excelled at it over the past decade - Kenny’s side gave the Brazilians their toughest challenge, while France, the most notable of Brazil’s tournament opponents, fell to a 4-0 drubbing. That being the case, Brazil seem to be a special team, one with names we’ll hear much more about and one Kenny’s outfit put it up to, the latter point being of particular significance to the aforementioned contest right now.
Not only that, it was the manner of the Irish play that caught the eye.
After a number of years of dull fare at senior level, the profound hunger for some more sophistication has intensified - the number of false dawn's has accumulated and the current manager is quickly becoming the next. To date, McCarthy has struggled to sway from what has been de rigueur since Trappatoni's arrival, with hard-fought wins against the Iberian minnows and Georgia, along with another rather tedious draw against the Danes. It's sure looking like a false dawn.
It may only have been Gibraltar and McCarthy's side may have got the win, yet the Irish approach lacked the required levels of imagination, largely consisting of speculative balls down the flanks. It was marked in the French Riviera that Irish players were willing to run and play the ball through midfield, even against Brazil.
They at least attempted to keep the ball, made reasonably risk-averse decisions and appeared generally comfortable in possession throughout. Even against a side ranked 198th in the world, did McCarthy’s side boast any of the aforementioned traits consistently?
This is what the Irish fan base have been crying out for and only Kenny, it seems, has grasped the principles.
The under-21 side didn’t convey themselves as scions of Cruyff and Maradona; what they did have was the confidence to attempt to play in an fluid way. And this, rather pertinently, was despite ceding the majority of possession to the South American heavyweights. Forward on to today and they looked more threatening than Mexico for large periods of the game. This was despite fielding a weakened team and against another country hardly lacking in terms of footballing heritage.
That the senior squad were unable to find a player among their ranks to pry open Gibraltar’s defence, in the way Aaron Connolly troubled his Brazilian opponents during the week, could only be perceived as damning of McCarthy and his management team.
All these moments add up as minor wins for the former League of Ireland man, thus meaning McCarthy arguably needs more than mere Euro 2020 qualification to remain in his role, what with Kenny showing he has all the tools to do the same in perhaps a more attractive style.
So the ball is back in the McCarthy court. As long as he hasn’t admitted defeat, he now has to find a way to produce this attractive style with the easiest games of his tenure already in the rear-view mirror.
Based on recent comments, he hasn’t given up.
“I’ve got four more games to try and qualify for Euro 2020 and I’m hoping that’s going to be the case,” he said earlier this week in response to questions over staying past 2020.
“If we get there and we do well, and if that’s my last of it, I’ll be delighted. I’m cool. That’s my agreement at the moment.”
Those final words aren’t from a man who has made peace with the fact he will be passing on the baton, regardless of performances next year and regardless of Kenny's looming presence. In essence, it's the politician answer.
He nevertheless has it all to do in this phony war.
Because his managerial - or should we say political(?) - foe is killing it.
