Roy Keane made a brutal dig at FAI executives as he spoke on ITV before the Ireland vs England game on Saturday. Keane is famously no fan of how football is managed in Ireland, and his frustration at the FAI ultimately led to him falling out with Mick McCarthy and leaving the Ireland squad before the 2002 World Cup.
Keane, who was among the candidates considered for the Ireland manager position before Heimir Hallgrimsson was appointed, had some choice words for the FAI's decision-makers. "There are a lot of good people at the FAI. But the people making the decisions probably couldn't organise a p*** up in a brewery, honestly," Keane said.
He also suggested Stephen Kenny's instance on playing possession-based football was a factor in his downfall as Ireland manager. "Stephen Kenny wanted to play a certain brand of football, but we just didn't have enough quality players. We were playing too many passes, we were too open." Keane added that Ireland had enjoyed the most success playing a more direct style of football, advocating for a return to basics for Hallgrimsson's team.
Keane's criticism of the FAI's decision-making comes at a time when Irish football is struggling to find its footing. The Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024 under Kenny, whose contract was not renewed at the end of last year. After several months with John O'Shea acting as interim-manager, the FAI appointed Icelandic coach Heimir Hallgrímsson as manager earlier this summer. Hallgrimsson is a relatively unknown figure to most Irish fans, but he will be hoping to show them he means business with a result against Lee Carsley's England in Dublin this evening.
England's 'Awful' Second Half
The game itself saw England dominate the first half, with Declan Rice and Jack Grealish scoring goals to give the Three Lions a 2-0 win. However, Keane was less than impressed with England's performance in the second half, branding it "awful" and accusing the players of "playing for themselves." "The frustrating thing today is Ireland were there for the taking. England dominated the first half and we praised them and their decision-making, their quality, their movement - but it was the opposite in the second half. I thought they were awful," Keane said. "Players were playing for themselves; they were taking too many touches, trying to play Roy of the Rovers passes. Keep doing the basics and stuff Ireland out. But Ireland played with a lot of pride in the second half."
Keane's criticism of England's second-half performance is likely to fuel debate about the team's direction under interim manager Lee Carsley. England's performance in the first half suggested a change in approach, with a more attacking style of play on display. However, the second half performance was a step back, and Keane's words are a reminder that the team still has a lot to prove under Carsley.
Keane's Legacy and the Future of Irish Football
Keane's comments on the FAI and England's performance are just the latest chapter in a long and often controversial career. However, his words also reflect a deeper truth about the state of Irish football. The country has struggled to produce a consistent and successful team in recent years, and Keane's comments highlight the need for a change in approach both on and off the pitch.
The future of Irish football is uncertain. Hallgrimsson will be hoping to bring some stability and success to the team, but the challenges are significant. Keane's comments are a wake-up call for the FAI, and a reminder that the country needs to take a long hard look at its footballing strategy. Only then can Ireland begin to build a team that can compete with the best in the world.
