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The 42
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The 42
Why have there been so few Republic of Ireland-born Premier League managers?
KEITH ANDREWS' appointment at Brentford makes him a relative rarity. He is an Irish-born Premier League manager. Of course, it's a flawed metric, but if you focus on football since the league's inception/name change ahead of the 1992-93 season and what some perceive as the birth of modern football as we know it, Irish players had more of a presence than people might assume. According to figures by Transfermarkt, Ireland has been responsible for 260 Premier League footballers in that time. Outside of England, only one country, Scotland (265), has produced more. By that logic, you might assume that there has also been a high proportion of Irish managers in the English game, but that is not really the case. The Guardian compiled a list in November 2024 of non-English-born Premier League managers who were appointed for a minimum of five top-flight games. Italy (15), Spain (14), the Netherlands (10) and France (8) led the way outside of Britain. Including the UK, Scotland had 30, ahead of Wales (9) and Northern Ireland (7). Before Andrews at least, the Republic of Ireland had six, which seems low, considering the country's proximity to England, the historical interest in the top flight on these isles and the general popularity of soccer. It's also worth noting that the list counts players who represented Ireland at international level, but who were not necessarily Irish-born. So the six in question are Mick McCarthy, Dave O'Leary, Joe Kinnear, Roy Keane, Owen Coyle and Chris Hughton. Of that list, only Keane and Kinnear were born in Ireland, and the latter moved to England at the age of eight. Advertisement O'Leary was born in London to Irish parents and moved to Dublin three years later, so along with Keane, he is the only future Premier League coach pre-Andrews who came through the Irish schoolboy system — the former defender had a stint at Shelbourne before joining Arsenal as an apprentice. The late Joe Kinnear is one of just three Republic of Ireland-born coaches to manage in the Premier League. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo But whatever way you tally up the figures, it is fair to say Ireland have underperformed when it comes to producing Premier League managers or coaches who go on to work in any of Europe's big five leagues, despite the aforementioned significant English-based playing pool. There are multiple reasons why this is the case. Perhaps the biggest issue is that football isn't a substantial industry in Ireland compared to other European countries. While there has recently been significant growth in the popularity of the League of Ireland, the country is still playing catch-up overall. Per figures released last year, there are 10 full-time academy staff in Ireland. Those figures pale in comparison to not just the top European nations but even those perceived to be more mid-ranking, such as Poland (376), Croatia (190) and Austria (114). Of course, there is a chance that at least one of those 10 will reach the highest level and go on to manage in the Premier League or La Liga, but you don't need to be a mathematics professor to figure out the greater likelihood of at least one of the 376 Polish coaches flourishing. Another issue is accessibility. The FAI-run Uefa Pro Licence course takes place every two years. It's a costly enterprise, which can put off some, and there is no guarantee it will secure a coaching job. In December last year, the FAI noted that 94 of its 136 graduates were active within the game. It is not uncommon for members of the coaching staff within the League of Ireland to be without a pro licence. So, for instance, Joey O'Brien can technically only manage Shelbourne for 60 days as he doesn't meet the requirements for a permanent job, though the former Bolton and West Ham star has applied to be on the next course. There was a similar issue with Dundalk FC in 2021, when Filippo Giovagnoli had to be demoted from head coach to coach, owing to his lack of a Pro Licence, with Shane Keegan stepping in as manager. It's even less common in women's football to hold a Pro Licence. In 2024, Laura Heffernan, DLR Waves Head Coach, became just the third female to complete the FAI's course, following in the footsteps of former Ireland managers Eileen Gleeson and Sue Ronan. The cost is perhaps the single biggest factor why some within the women's game and the League of Ireland are reluctant to undertake the course. Big salaries aren't a given within these spheres, so the risk-reward balance tends to be disproportionate. With full-time football jobs relatively scarce in the country, a large number of ex-Ireland internationals tend to apply, given they have both the financial stability to do so and the profile that is more likely to secure them a job at a high level abroad without having to build up a reputation on these shores first. Andrews secured his Pro Licence on the FAI course in 2023, along with fellow ex-Ireland teammates Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Andy Reid. He is the third of that quartet to get a relatively high-profile management job since then, while the exception, Reid, has spent the last couple of years working steadily as an academy coach at Nottingham Forest. Duff is one of the few pro-licence holders with a significant profile in England to have tried his luck in the League of Ireland. Many managers and players in the sport tend to be driven by money, but it was not the case with the ex-Shelbourne boss, who managed the Tolka Park outfit as a labour of love, which is why he made the rare move of resigning when most tend to be pushed out the door as they seek compensation to soften the blow of their exits. For the most part, it really all comes back to finances, which is why many high-profile Irish footballing figures tend to stay away from the League of Ireland and also why there are not many examples of recent domestic-based coaches graduating to the elite level of the game. This dilemma extends to the national team — of the seven permanent Boys in Green coaches post-Premier League era/Jack Charlton, only three had any kind of League of Ireland background — Brian Kerr, Steve Staunton and Stephen Kenny — and none of them had particularly successful or lengthy reigns. When the national association has patent reservations about trusting their homegrown managers, it is another stark sign of the sorry state of coaching in the country.
Irish Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Roy Keane expected to keep eye on 'bullsh*****' Keith Andrews
Roy Keane's old remarks where he called Keith Andrews a 'b*lls******' have resurfaced following the ex-Ireland international's appointment as Brentford boss and could be in line to be on punditry duty for his first game in charge. Andrews, who previously acted as set-piece coach for the Bees, has put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Premier League club as he makes his first venture into management. However, don't expect Roy Keane to go easy on Andrews whenever Brentford are on Sky Sports, as he previously labeled the new Bees boss a 'b*lls******'. When the Irish Independent interviewed Keane in 2020, he spoke about his time with Ireland and singled out Andrews for criticism. "I miss the Irish job, honestly. I really enjoyed that. People like Seamus Coleman, Seamus McDonagh, Steve Guppy. Ah listen, I loved it. If I can make one point about the new Irish staff. I've heard a lot of bulls***ters over the last 10 years, and Keith Andrews is up there with the best of them." Keane is usually the main pundit whenever Manchester United are on Sky Sports' Super Sunday, and Brentford v Nottingham Forest acting as a curtain raiser for The Red Devils' opening weekend clash against Arsenal, the Cork man could be in the studio to give his take on all things Andrews and Brentford. Keane served as assistant manager to Martin O'Neill with Ireland between 2013 and 2018, and his old boss also had his say on Andrews getting the job. "He has been their set-piece coach. The irony is when I was manager of the Republic of Ireland he was a particularly vitriolic critic of mine at the time. He was really dead against me trying to use setpieces to try to win games," O'Neill told TalkSport. "The irony is he becomes the set-piece coach. Really I say good luck to him. Brentford have decided, if it is the case, that he should get it. "I hope he does get it because then he will realise what management is all about. It's not as easy to be sitting in a pundit's chair sitting to criticise someone who in all honesty had a much better career than he had. "He was dealing at the bottom end of it when I was winning the European Cup. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be criticising. Everyone to their own. But it'll be a different ball game now. "In terms of some of the decisions he has made, I think he has done very well as the set-piece coach. A lot of credit has gone to him for the fast starts Brentford have made in games. "He is stepping into an unknown. It's all very well when you can be the friend of the players. You can have the set-pieces, you can be the coach sitting there in the room. It's a different ball game when you're making the big decisions."
Irish Examiner
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Roy Keane meets Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami training ground
Roy Keane isn't the biggest fan of posing for pictures but on the rare occasion, he is willing to make an exception. The Corkman is making the most of his break away from the Sky Sports and Stick to Football studios as he is currently on holiday in the United States of America. But the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland hasn't taken a break away from the sport as he seems to be taking in some of the ongoing Club World Cup, which is approaching the last-16 stage. Imagine a midfield pairing of Sergio Busquests and Roy Keane🤌🏼 Moments like these go to show highly Keane is thought of in the footballing world. Busquests, Luis Suarez and Jori Alba weren't half bad in their prime. Class appreciates class. Legends of the game! — Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) June 27, 2025 Keane recently got the opportunity to visit the training base of Inter Miami, who are owned by his former United teammate David Beckham, and while he was there he posed for pictures with none other than Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba. Who asked who for the pictures remains unknown, as does the whereabouts of Lionel Messi, who must have been busy preparing to the MLS side's last-16 tie against Champions League winners PSG on Sunday. An attitude Roy would appreciate, at least. Keane won't be stateside with his friends from Rockmount AFC for long as he will be returning home in the near future ahead of his three live shows with Roddy Doyle at the Marquee on July 7,8, and 9. Read More First look: Saipan trailer released showing Éanna Hardwicke as Roy Keane
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Man who raped drunk teenage girl (17) in Drogheda jailed
BREAKING | Jibola Moses Akanni (27) has 28 previous convictions from both Ireland and the UK relating to road traffic matters, as well as convictions for theft, public order, and handling stolen property. The Central Criminal Court (stock photo) The Central Criminal Court heard that that Jibola Moses Akanni (27) of St Laurence Drive, Drogheda, Co Louth, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault at an apartment on Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1, on February 15, 2018. He has 28 previous convictions from both Ireland and the UK relating to road traffic matters, as well as convictions for theft, public order, and handling stolen property. Passing sentence today, Mr Justice David Keane commended the injured party in this case in the manner in which she conducted herself through the trial and wished her well for the future. Judge Keane said the aggravating factors in this case were the extended nature of the ordeal while the injured party was barely conscious, the disparity in the age of both parties and that she was an intoxicated and vulnerable person at the time. The judge set a headline sentence of nine years for each of the rape charges and four years for the sexual assault charge. The judge said that a limited amount of mitigation can be granted for Akanni's cooperation with the gardaí, and with regard to his previous conviction, 'the best that can be said is that they are not for this type of offending.' The Central Criminal Court (stock photo) News in 90 Seconds - June 26th He stated that 'no credit can be given for a guilty plea, as none was forthcoming, and he does not accept the jury's verdict, nor has remorse been shown.' Judge Keane noted that the probation report placed Akanni at high risk of sexual or violent reoffending. He accepted letters handed to the court by Akanni's parents, who spoke of his good and finer qualities. Judge Keane sentenced Akanni to eight and a half years on each of the two rape counts and three and a half years for the charge of sexual assault all of which are to run concurrently and backdated to November when he went into custody. With regards to rehabilitation, the judge said, 'There is no prospect of his engagement in sexual offending courses and there is no realistic hope of promoting rehabilitation, so I will not suspend any part of the sentence.' The judge said, 'In order to protect the public from the risk of him sexually reoffending, I will place him under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release.' He instructed that Akanni carry out all directions that the Probation Services deemed necessary. Read more At a previous hearing, Garda Orla Cashel told Rebecca Smith, BL, prosecuting, that the injured party travelled to Dublin to attend a concert. When she arrived at the venue with her friends, she was refused entry as she was underage. While she was waiting outside the venue, she met a male whom she had met before. He invited her and her two friends to an apartment where he was staying, which was next door to the venue. Here she met Akanni. The group listened to music and drank. The court heard that the injured party attempted one more time to enter the venue but was again refused. She did not want to ruin the night for her friends and told them to go to the concert and that she would wait in the apartment. The injured party was upset that she could not get into the venue, and Akanni held a bottle of alcohol to her lips and told her to drink. The injured party said she was tired and was going to go to sleep. She complained that she was lightheaded, and again Akanni held the bottle to her lips, and he then turned off the lights in the bedroom where she was. Gda Cashel said that Akanni then asked her what she had done sexually and if she had had sex with her boyfriend, to which she said 'no' and stated that she was 'only 17'. At this time, she was fully dressed and unable to keep her eyes open and was not able to speak. Akanni then put his penis in her mouth. He then removed her trousers and underwear and put his mouth on her genital area. A short time later she felt pressure and pain in her vagina. The court heard that the woman's next memory was of being taken to the Emergency Room in an ambulance by her friends. They had returned to the apartment and noticed that her trousers were on inside out. The girl also began to vomit and was unable to stand up. Her friends brought her to the bathroom and then noticed that her underwear was also on incorrectly and stained. She was examined in a sexual assault treatment unit. Akanni was identified using CCTV and documents relating to the rented accommodation where he had stayed. He was arrested and interviewed four times, but nothing of value was obtained. Gda Cashel agreed with Ciaran O'Loughlin, SC, defending, that his client has no previous convictions for this type of offending. Mr O'Loughlin said Akanni came to Ireland when he was two years old and is now 27 years of age. Counsel said there was no violence or threats made; only the act itself.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Roy Keane blasts Jill Scott in rant about TV pundits who 'don't love football'
Roy Keane accused Jill Scott of 'not loving the game' in a rant about TV pundits who do not have an in-depth knowledge of football. Keane and Scott have both been regular guests on The Overlap to discuss the major Premier League and Champions League talking points this season. The former Manchester United captain is also one of Sky Sports' leading pundits for their Premier League matches, while Scott, who was in England's squad for their victory at Euro 2022, will be part of the BBC's coverage of the Lionesses' Euro 2025 campaign this summer. In a behind-the-scenes edition of The Overlap which was released on Thursday, Keane was filmed sparking a debate about football pundits in which he claimed that Scott is 'too busy' with other commitments and is unable to keep up with the latest events in the sport. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright could be heard defending Scott during the exchange, but both appeared to take Keane's rant in good humour. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. 'See I love the game, these people with stat packs, I don't,' Keane said. 'They need stat packs, I don't. Do you know what? I love the game, I love the game, they don't love the game, there's loads of people on TV who don't love the game of football. 'Ask Jill a question – who got promoted last week from League Two? She wouldn't have a f***ing clue. Who got promoted from League Two last week?' Scott replied: 'I don't know.' Keane then exclaimed: 'Yes, exactly! You don't love the game. Get out!' More Trending Man behind viral video of fight at Ibiza hotel pool is a pro-footballer Scott laughed and said with a smile: 'The game doesn't love you. 'Some of us are too busy to be constantly watching football. You're like 70 now, you can just chill, you can watch a game, I've still got a life.' Keane replied: 'That's my point, you're too busy. You go to London to open a shop for £200, I'd go and watch a game, Jesus.' Keane then smiled as Scott joked back: 'And that's just the voucher.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Alan Shearer says new Chelsea signing is 'a little rough around the edges' MORE: Arsenal open talks to sign La Liga star in £17m transfer MORE: Jamie Carragher gets his wish as Liverpool confirm £40m signing
