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Exclusive Interview: Martin O'Neill on Ireland's football future, past, and present

FORMER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND manager Martin O'Neill says he would not rule out his former assistant Roy Keane becoming the manager of the Irish national team in the future.

Keane and O'Neill worked together in the Ireland set-up when Ireland reached their last major football tournament in Euro 2016.

Ireland were eventually knocked out of the tournament by hosts France in the quarter-finals. However, in November 2018, Keane and O'Neill left their jobs by "mutual agreement."

This week, O'Neill sat down for an exclusive interview with the Irish Post. The 71-year-old spoke about the Ireland team under Stephen Kenny, crucial goals in the Euro 2016 campaign, Roy Keane being a future Ireland manager, and other notable topics that include Stephen Kenny's future, Ireland's hottest prospect in Evan Ferguson, and finally James McClean's move to Wrexham.

Dublin , Ireland - 15 November 2018; Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

O'Neill on the current Ireland set-up under Stephen Kenny

O'Neill was firstly asked about Stephen Kenny's reign as Ireland manager.

"I think that it's a difficult time,"O'Neill stated. "I think that looking at it from a fan's perspective."

"I think the idea of stepping into football matches is to try and win football matches, and if you can do that and change a style of play and do all the things you want to do, then that is terrific," O'Neill continued. "But I will go back to, let's say, the start of the Republic of Ireland's halcyon days in the sun under Jack Charlton. When I became a manager, my remit was to make it to the Euros, and I don't know if I would have made it to the World Cup qualifying, but there was definitely no guarantee of getting there – getting to the Euros."

"You'd know yourself, being from Ireland, that the Republic and Northern Ireland don't make too many competitions, so the Jack Charlton era was fantastic," O'Neill pointed out. "The crowds that came to cheer the team when they got home after the exploits."

"You also had the Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane saga in Saipan," O'Neill added.

The former Ireland manager referenced his time in the role and claimed that Ireland could reach another major tournament despite the overwhelming odds that are stacked in their favour. He believes that Ireland can do it due to football's unpredictability factor, that so often rears its head in the sport.

"In all honesty, the day we opened the Euros against Sweden in Paris, where there were about 20,000 Irish and Swedish fans, the setting was just fantastic, and the atmosphere was unbelievable," O'Neill said. "And to hear the fans after 15 minutes sing 'The Fields of Athenry' was splendid, and this was the point. Ireland wants to get to major tournaments. Getting there is difficult; we know this."

"I thought we played well in France, and we were well beaten by Belgium in the middle game, but we were brilliant in the Sweden game and excellent against Italy, and for long periods, we matched France."

"A long-winded way of saying it is this is what Irish fans want. It's really difficult getting there. It's a long haul, and if you do it, it is fantastic. Now, can Ireland make it from here? Yes, they can," O'Neill said while taking a minute to answer. "These next games coming up are hard, but you expect that, and they need points, but there is always hope, and anything can happen."

What was O'Neills favourite goal as Ireland boss, Brady's Hoolahan's, or Long's

O'Neill was part of an Irish set-up that managed to get to its last major footballing tournament in Euro 2016. Ireland's campaign will be best remembered for some stand-out moments. Notable goals include Shane Long's rocket against Germany in the Aviva Stadium, John Walters' play-off winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wes Hoolahan's group goal against Sweden, and Robbie Brady's deft header against Italy. O'Neill was asked about those moments as Ireland manager and was also asked to pick out his favourite while in charge of the national team.

"Naturally, I loved those goals," O'Neill said as he smiled. "Shane Long comes on, and we need to get a result against the world champions (Germany). We need something out of the game, and a win would have been phenomenal, an explosion of joy when Shane rockets it into the net. It's an unforgettable feeling. Of course, we still have to survive the next 15 minutes against them. I always say, believe it or not, that gave us hope. But when we finally went through against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off games, I actually got more pleasure out of that one because there was actually an ending to it. That night we made it to the Euros."

O'Neill also referenced a time when Hoolahan had a hand in Brady's winner in Lille. He and the Dubliner joked about the midfielder being killed by the Irish fans for missing a big chance to score moments earlier.

"But getting onto the others, Little Wes scores a brilliant goal against Sweden, and it was no more than we deserved at the time. We were in total command of the game, and I know they scored late on, and that was a sickener for a draw.

"It's interesting because Wes was involved in the next one you're talking about. He missed a chance minutes beforehand in the game against Italy, and we think we aren't going to get another moment. When Robbie steps up from Wes' pass and he dives through, it is a fantastic moment. We go in at the end of the game, and Wes is delighted, and he goes over to apologise and says, 'Sorry, gaffer, I missed that chance,' but I said, 'Don't worry, Wes, it's saved you from being killed here today.' I am joking, obviously. They were big, big moments, and it's hard to call. Maybe Shane's because it was against Germany, and it's difficult to say," O'Neill concluded.

Wes Hoolahan vs Sweden on this day in 2016 lads. 7 years ago, Christ 🤯pic.twitter.com/36DizY3Qk1

— Irish Football Pics (@irish_pics) June 13, 2023

O'Neill on Roy Keane being a future Ireland manager

Many people question the long-term future of Stephen Kenny in the Ireland job, and with every game, the calls for his head seem to grow and grow. A number of replacements have already been touted in the media. Some notable names include the likes of former England boss Sam Allardyce, England's U-21 boss Lee Carsley, and others. One man who helped O'Neill with their successful Euro 2016 qualification process was former Ireland captain Roy Keane.

The question was put to O'Neill about Keane eventually taking over as the head coach of the national team, he responded by saying, "I think you'd have to ask Roy that question. I genuinely don't know, but I don't see why Roy wouldn't want to take the job. I was hoping he would go into football management and there was a chance when Sunderland came calling a year ago, but it didn't happen for one reason or another.

"Roy is very busy and doing his TV work and has lots of things at this minute. I don't know, but I certainly would not rule that out. But again, you would have to ask Roy. It's not something that we discussed at any given stage. We will see, of course. If Ireland can change their fortunes and get to the Euros then there is no need to change the manager at all."

O'Neill on Evan Ferguson emulating Robbie Keane

O'Neill remarked before that he wished he had a younger Robbie Keane in his ranks when he was the manager of the team. Keane, who is Ireland's record goal-scorer, was 33 when O'Neill took over the role.

Ireland now has Evan Ferguson in their ranks, and a lot of people are starting to get giddy about the 18-year-old's abilities. Some have even linked the youngster to Keano.

O'Neill was asked about his comments around Keane, what he thought about Ireland's hottest football property in Ferguson, and if the Brighton star was the man to lead Ireland to their next major tournament.

"In my time, we didn't have someone like Keane to help us. Yes, Keane had scored against Gibraltar, but he was past his best in an Ireland jersey. It would have been fantastic if he were five or six years younger.

"Our talisman was John Walters. He wasn't prolific at club level. John, for a lot of the games, also took up a role wide right at times. He worked so hard during qualification. James McClean was also important.

"We didn't have a striker like Keane. It's been a problem. When Ireland has had players like Keane and players surrounding him, then you give yourself a chance.

"On Ferguson, for someone so young he definitely has the ability and knows the game, and is strong. If he can stay clear of serious injury, then his career is on an upward curve."

Ta' Qal , Malta - 20 November 2022; Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland, right, comes on as a substitute for team-mate Chiedozie Ogbene during the International Friendly match between Malta and Republic of Ireland at the Ta' Qali National Stadium in Attard, Malta. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

O'Neill on James McClean's future with the Irish national team

Ireland's James McClean made the move to League Two in England from Wigan Athletic this month. The Ireland winger, who won his 100th cap for his country against Gibraltar in the Euro 2024 qualification game in June, will now play his football in Wales.

There is an opinion now that McClean's time in an Ireland jersey will come to an end because of the move to the National League champions.

O'Neill, who worked with McClean at Sunderland and in the Ireland camp, believes that despite making the move, his former player still has the ability to play more games for Ireland.

"James always wanted to play for Ireland and he got 100 caps which is brilliant. He was terrific when I went to Sunderland. I didn't know much about him initially when I arrived, but it wasn't too long before he broke into the first team and he was very important in that Sunderland side.

"James received flak for his stance on the poppy, and he stood by his principles. I've got nothing but the highest admiration for him as a lad and as a player, he did very well for me at the club and international level.

"Is his international career finished? I am hoping not. James still has the drive and fitness to continue, and if he has all those things to go with, then I still think he has a place. You'd have to ask Stephen Kenny that though."

What advice would O'Neill give to Stephen Kenny

Being the Ireland manager cannot be an easy job. Calls for your sacking and replacements in the role are always around the corner after a poor result. O'Neill, who went through his fair share of criticism in the role, knows all too well what this feeling is about.

Stephen Kenny's time in the role has come with the same praise and criticism. Some want him gone, some want him to stay on. There is speculation that if Ireland don't beat the likes of the Netherlands or France in the September window, then the former League of Ireland manager will be relieved of his duties.

O'Neill was asked what advice he would give to Kenny in the role, being the former Ireland boss, and said, "I wouldn't want someone to ask me that question. I wouldn't be giving advice. Stephen knows what to do. He knows what you have to do. You have to win football matches.

"He doesn't need my help or advice. If you would have asked Kenny that question, I'm sure he'd say the same. Maybe if Sir Alex was on the phone, I might take some notice. When you are managing a football team, you know what you have at your disposal with the players and their abilities. You make a plan from there."

O"Neill was speaking to Boylesports who provide the latest Premier League odds