When it comes to comedy, Martin O'Neill is definitely one of football's most underrated managers. He delivers his acerbic quips in a very deadpan style that doesn't quite grab the attention as strongly as Ian Holloway's perpetually smiling face.
Nor are his one-liners quite as descriptive as Mick 'arse in the bacon slicer' McCarthy's. He prefers using the pregnant pause and the stern look to get his jokes across. The usually unbearable banter-filled 'Fletch and Sav' show on BT was passable this morning as the Republic of Ireland boss made a guest appearance.
BT were covering Wycombe v Aston Villa in the FA Cup aka The Martin O'Neill Derby AKA The Paul Lambert Derby, hence the presence of the Ireland manager.
Today was another example of one of football's golden rules - nothing bad can ever come from someone slagging off Robbie Savage. This story of O'Neill cutting down the Welshman on Match of the Day while Savage had his family over is pretty great.
Former @LCFC boss Martin O'Neill jokes @RobbieSavage8 "lacked one thing and that was ability". #FletchAndSav https://t.co/pt2wJLPorR
— Fletch And Sav (@FletchAndSav) January 9, 2016
O'Neill definitely learned from his former manager at Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough, that sarcasm and a deadpan reaction can go a long way in the comedy world. Even after winning two European Cup medals and having great success as a manager, O'Neill's proudest moment in football is certainly telling these two megastars from the continent just how it is.
O'Neill also perfectly summed up the working dynamic that he enjoys with his Ireland assistant Roy Keane.
However, the former Leicester manager will need to produce a few more zingers at the Euros this summer to surpass his old mentor.
