Forget crystal balls or biased octopi, there's only one way to predict the future.
Football Manager is at the point where Sky Sports News are using it's in game stats to talk about potential transfer targets during the transfer windows, as the game's popularity has reached new heights.
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You'll see Paul Pogba playing it on flights to matches, and you'll almost certainly have a friend who desperately needs to tell you about his latest save, but how true to life is the game when you're a good few years down the line?
We seriously hope it's way off the mark, but Irish football does not look too positive in the year 2024...
The Ireland Team
Ireland's uninspiring XI features mostly Championship players, and Jeff Hendrick of Crystal Palace is our best player (something that may yet be spot on).
Did we qualify for any more Euros or World Cups?
Just one. After failing to get out of the groups at Euro 2016 (according to the game), it happened again four years later in 2020:
A diabolical showing and we missed out on 2024 by an agonising point:
To make things worse, England almost won the World Cup...
They were beaten by Italy in the 2018 Final, Ireland didn't qualify:
France would then beat Germany in the 2022 final, again Ireland didn't qualify:
Disappointing!
So What About The Current Ireland Players?
We checked in with the current squad, and here are the ones still involved in football in eight years...
James McClean is now a scout:
He can spot a defender, and he's quite adaptable.
And Shane Long is an unemployed manager:
Would make a great attacking coach. Very determined!
At 35, Seamus Coleman is rotting in the Everton reserves:
While McCarthy is still getting his game:
And Darren Randolph is still West Ham's backup keeper!
Robbie Brady is a bit-part player for Bolton:
So harsh! After being relegated with Norwich, Brady signed for Hull again where he yoyo'd up and down before settling at Bolton.
Chris Forrester never made the Premier League jump:
And neither did Jack Byrne, who found a home at Chesterfield...
..Where he was joined by Richie Towell!
A strong Irish connection at Chesterfield, a tad disappointing for the lads but at least they've got each other.
And What About The Premier League?
Manchester United are the champs:
But Newcastle had the highest goalscorer:
Keep an eye out for that Rui Pedro lad.
In fact, United returned to dominance, but not before Arsenal won a pair of titles:
United also returned to honors in Europe:
But they never could get Ronaldo back, still at Madrid at 39...
So who is in their squad?
David De Gea stays! John Stones and Aymeric Laporte? Nice.
And this is Liverpool:
Donnarumma and Ihenacho, great signings.
Arsenal swiped Lukaku after Wenger left...
Hazard decided to stick around at Chelsea:
And Man City are captained by Eric Dier:
Thankfully it's just a game...
