John O'Shea has quashed claims that he is in charge of the Ireland team instead of the actual manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson.
Hallgrimsson has left this international window’s squad selection in the hands of O'Shea due to a lack of time with the squad, but many have questioned this decision and debated whether it shows good leadership.
Ireland lost 2-0 to England on Saturday and are now preparing for the Greece game in Dublin tomorrow, but the ongoing questions haven't gone away.
It is customary for the Ireland boss to face questions from the media in the wake of an international game, but today Hallgrimsson did not do this. O'Shea took the questions in his place. Once again concerns about who is actually managing the Ireland team—O'Shea or Hallgrimsson were raised
O'Shea claimed that the current plan for him to select the squad had been in place before this block of games in Dublin.
"It's very simple. This plan was in place beforehand, and it's obviously to give the boss as much time as possible in terms of preparation. With the quick turnaround between games, that was always the case, so there is no change in anything," O'Shea said on Monday.
When asked if this would affect the Ireland players, O'Shea responded, "No fear at all. The boss is the boss, and there are clear lines there. As I mentioned, this plan was in place beforehand, and we felt there was no reason to change it."
The former Ireland captain also clarified his position, telling reporters that his role was to assist, not lead.
Dublin , Ireland - 9 September 2024; Republic of Ireland assistant head coach John O'Shea during a Republic of Ireland press conference at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)"It’s not a leading role; I’m the assistant," said O'Shea. "The leader is the boss, and that is clear," he reiterated when pressed about the issue.
"The focus has always been on the plan we had in place. It’s a quick turnaround when you're trying to get things sorted, and this was always the plan; that was the case beforehand, and the full focus is on Greece."
When asked about potential confusion in the camp, O'Shea once again emphasised, "It’s clear. I’m the assistant."
"I don’t know why there has to be this constant questioning. The boss is the boss. It’s very simple. The players know that; you can ask Caoimhín [Kelleher] about that. The meetings we’ve had, the plans in place—it’s all clear."
"So, I don’t know why you keep going on about it. From my perspective, and from the staff’s and the players’ points of view, it’s all very clear."
Ireland takes on Greece tomorrow at 7:45 pm. The team will then travel to Finland for their next fixture on October 10. Just three days later, on October 13, Ireland will face Greece again, this time away.
Their penultimate match will be on November 14, when they host Finland. Finally, Ireland will conclude their group stage on November 17 with a match against England.
Republic of Ireland Squad: Greece
Goalkeepers:
Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City).
Defenders:
Festy Ebosele (Watford), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Robbie Brady (Preston North End).
Midfielders:
Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Sunderland), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Kasey McAteer (Leicester City).
Attackers:
Adam Idah (Celtic), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar).
UEFA Nations League: Fixture
10/09: Ireland vs. Greece, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
