After a week of twists and turns and an endless stream of unanswered questions and confusion it seems we have finally reached a conclusion.
Martin O’Neill will remain as Republic of Ireland manager, he’ll likely sign the much mooted new two-year contract and the ‘business as usual’ sign will return to the shop window.
The FAI’s most high profile employee has decided to stick around to help transform a team that will likely be hit by a number of retirements in the coming months. A job he is enthused by according to some sources.
Gauging the mood of the nation when it comes to managers of the Ireland team has proven an uncomplicated too difficult task in recent years.
Nobody was surprised when Trap’s time was up; similarly when Staunton was sacked it seemed fans felt it long overdue.
O’Neill appeared on the brink of departure for much of last week and when Quique Sanchez Flores removed himself from the running for the vacant Stoke City job that seemed to signal the end of the road for the Derryman.
O’Neill’s decision to stay may not be welcomed by many football fans, he will feel slighted by his flirtation with the job. O’Neill continuing will ultimately benefit Irish football.
He brought Ireland to the European Championships where they reached the knockout stage in 2016, while culpable for the capitulation against Denmark it is the only blot on the copybook of what has been an otherwise successful spell in charge.
Familiarity may have helped bread some contempt from both parties, O’Neill according to some close to him was stunned and hurt by the level of criticism he received after the Denmark defeat and was ready to call quits if the FAI did not want him to lead the team after the humiliating loss.
It was still just a fourth defeat in his 24 competitive game in the dugout, there is certainly an argument to say that O'Neill has overachieved during his time in charge.
He may not be the most popular man at the moment but he still is the best man for the job.
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