Ireland's Jason Knight has urged the FAI to find a new permanent Ireland manager sooner rather than later.
Since Stephen Kenny was sacked in November, the discourse around who will be the next Ireland boss has been ongoing. Former Ireland captain John O'Shea has taken the role on a temporary basis and has agreed to take it on for the June friendlies this coming week.
Many fans have become dissatisfied with the whole process and are now fed up with the search for the next Boys in Green manager. Knight, one of the members of O'Shea's squad, wants clarity as quickly as possible.
“As players, we would like to get it sorted sooner rather than later,” said Knight.
The Euros will take place this month, but Ireland won't play in the tournament because of their yo-yo form under Stephen Kenny. Ireland's lack of participation means that after the games against Hungary and Portugal this week, the Ireland players will have a chance to unwind for the summer.
When asked how he felt about Ireland not being at the Euros in Germany, the Bristol City player added that he was disappointed.
Jason Knight of the Republic of Ireland with former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny after the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying group A match between Luxembourg and the Republic of Ireland at Stade de Luxembourg in Luxembourg. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images) )"I’ll probably watch the Euros, but it will be difficult because we want to be there. It’s disappointing that we’re not going," added Knight.
“I’ll probably watch it. You want to learn. You can’t switch off. You’ve got to learn from everyone you play against. We’ve got some great games to test ourselves this week against teams who have real pedigree.”
Ireland's quest to qualify for another major tournament will continue, but the goal for the next Ireland manager, whoever it may be, will be to introduce a style of play that the Irish players feel comfortable playing and can adapt to. Knight has admitted that being adaptable is key if they want to make it to big tournaments in the future.
He said, “We want to be as effective as possible, whether that’s playing passing football or going more directly.
“We want to be winners, ultimately. We want to get to tournaments and win the big games that get us there. It’s game-by-game. We've got to treat it like that.
“Of course, it is true that more direct football got us to tournaments before, but we’ve got to switch it up. We can’t go into every game thinking, 'This is the way we play." We’ve got to adapt ourselves to the circumstances in front of us; we have got to treat every game on its own.”
Tickets for the match against Hungary on Tuesday, June 4, with kick-off at 7.45 , are on sale through Ticketmaster, with prices starting from just €30 as Ireland face their final home match before the UEFA Nations League campaign kicks-off in September. Tickets are available to purchase here: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/international-friendly-republic-of-ireland-v-dublin-04-06-2024/event/1800608F9BB1581F
Republic of Ireland Squad: Hungary/Portugal
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), David Harrington (Fleetwood Town)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Jake O'Brien (Lyon), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), and Enda Stevens (Stoke City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), and Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Celtic).
Forwards: Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers), Adam Idah (Celtic, on loan from Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Excelsior, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Obafemi (Millwall, on loan from Burnley), Tom Cannon (Leicester City).
Fixtures: International Friends
04/06: Republic of Ireland vs. Hungary, Aviva Stadium, 7.45
11/06: Portugal vs. Republic of Ireland, Aveiro Municipal Stadium, 7.45
