As Mick McCarthy appears set to take charge of APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus, Stephen Elliott, David Sneyd and Dan McDonnell considered what the move means for the former Ireland manager.
It has not yet been confirmed whether Mick McCarthy will take charge of APOEL Nicosia.
Nevertheless, as the former Republic of Ireland boss remains actively interested in pursuing a new managerial role, the Cypriot club have reported that McCarthy is the man they intend to install as their new boss.
"Ah, he likes the sun so I don't know if that has something to do with it maybe," joked Stephen Elliott in conversation with OTB Sports. "I'm sure he will go and do a thoroughly professional job though because that's the way he is."
A former player of McCarthy's at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Dublin native understands why the former Irish captain may be tempted to take on his first managerial role beyond Britain and Ireland.
"Maybe in the back of his head he's thinking, 'Yeah, I've done all the years in the English leagues with the highs and lows that come with it,'" reasoned Elliott. "He has done the national team twice where it can be great, but there's the other side of it too.
"So, maybe he's going out there for a new experience before he does stop managing. It will be interesting to see it too if he does go out there."
Almost 30 years after Mick McCarthy took his first steps into management while seeing out his playing career at Millwall, he has rarely been out of work ever since.
Ireland manager on two occasions, he brought the national team to only its third World Cup in 2002. As a club boss, he has gained Premier League promotion with both Sunderland and Wolves.
"This would be a good chance for him to manage in Europe too," suggested journalist David Sneyd to OTB Sports. "If you look at their pedigree, they've been in or around the Europa League and even Champions League playoffs.
"It is going to be an interesting opportunity for him in a different context."
14 November 2019; Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy. Photo by SportsfileProfessional ambition may also play a pivotal role in his decision-making, according to journalist Daniel McDonnell.
"He wants to get to 1,000 games in club management," explained McDonnell, "this is a big thing for him and I think he's at 981 now.
"Whatever people think of Mick McCarthy, and I haven't been mad on him doing the co-commentary on the Ireland games, the longevity of his managerial career is an incredible achievement.
"I don't think he has ever been out of work for more than maybe seven or eight months at a time. So, this is a fascinating opportunity for him."
A frequent visitor to Cyprus through working on Ireland games and the odd club European tie, McDonnell presented an image of the kind of football culture McCarthy may be walking into.
"Football in Cyprus is huge and the club game is really popular," he said. "He will be going into a pretty intense environment there where the demands will be intense, but it might just give his career a new lease of life.
"In England, he is probably pigeonholed, whether he likes it or not. But he has spoken before about potentially going into international management in a different country. This could start a whole new chapter for his career if it goes well."
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