The Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is to stay on in his current role after signing an extension to his contract.
The Ireland manager inked a two-year extension to his current contract that will take him up to the European Championships in Portugal in 2004.
There had been reports in the period preceding Ireland's qualification for the 2002 World Cup that he might not carry on. McCarthy had been through three painfully close shaves with qualification for major tournament finals via the play-off system.
The ex-Manchester City and Glasgow Celtic defender was quoted in the summer hinting that he might return to club management if the Irish team didn't qualify for the tournament but they eventually went through with a play-off win against Iran.
McCarthy has since agreed to stay on as Republic boss following recent talks with the Football Association of Ireland, although he has stated that he would very much like to return to club management at some point in the future. Speaking exclusively to leaguemanagers.com, McCarthy explained the reasons behind his decision to sign an extension to his deal as Ireland boss.
"The most important factor is going to be the World Cup – we've qualified and we're going. That's the biggest thing of course," he admitted.
Asked about the prospects of returning to club management he said: "At some stage I'm certain to go back into league management and of course an ambition of mine would be to manage in the Premiership at some stage, but for the moment I'm going to the World Cup and I'm delighted that things have been resolved and we can concentrate on that now.
"But at some stage it's something I'd like try."
As for Ireland's preparations for the World Cup, McCarthy added: "Very good, they're fine, everything's in place. We've got good hotels and training arrangements and I'm going back at the end of February, not to tie things up, just to make sure everything's alright.
"There's a coaches meeting as well in Japan so I'm going for that reason and I'll just go round and check everything's finalised whilst I'm there."
In the meantime, Ireland are looking towards this week's friendly against Russia, which will be a good opportunity for a number of players to stake their claims for a place in the final World Cup squad.
Richard Sadlier and Colin Healy were both named in the squad for the first time for the visit of the Russians and McCarthy knows it will be up to them to force themselves into the reckoning.
"Absolutely, it's a good opportunity for them," he declared.
"I've got a squad of about 28 players that I used in qualifying and all those lads are in pole position to travel but it's an opportunity for anybody else over the next two weeks - I'll be looking at everybody else."
And McCarthy admits that he will have a difficult job to decide which players will be travelling to Japan and which will be the unforunate ones that miss out.
"Well there's 28 players and then two new ones so that make it 30 I'll have used – there's only 23 going, so I'm going to have to tell at least seven people they won't be travelling.
"And on top of that there's Dave Connolly and Stephen Carr and Gary Doherty who aren't in this squad and have all played.
"It'll not be easy telling them but I'll pick the squad that I think's going to do the best job over there."
With regard to Ireland's chances of success in the World Cup, McCarthy admits it will tough to progress from the first stage with Germany, Cameroon and Saudi Arabia their Group E opponents. But, if they do get through the initial phase, the Yorkshireman sees no reason why his team cannot go much further.
"If we get through that first round qualification – if we finish second I think we play the winner of Spain and Paraguay's group - but if we qualify through that group I wouldn't worry about anybody," he said.
"We beat Holland and we finished equal with Portugal so there's really no reason why we should fear anybody. But getting through the first stage is going to be the hardest thing."
Cameroon have just been crowned champions in the African Cup of Nations after beating Senegal in a penalty shoot-out on Sunday. Despite not having conceded a single goal throughout the whole tournament (penalty shoot-out aside), the 'Indomitable Lions' may prove to be an even more daunting prospect at the World Cup according to McCarthy, who saw a little of the sleeveless-shirted stars in Africa's continental cup. "I've only seen a bit of it. I don't think it's a true reflection on what they're like, I don't the pitches are the greatest in that competition and I think despite the fact they've won all their games they might be better still to be honest," he said.
"They're very athletic, very strong, good technically. They'll be difficult." Then again, so will Ireland. |
