They probably weren’t aware of the Spinal Tap-ism, but we’ve already seen the managerial coupling of Roy Keane and Martin O’Neill described as ‘Fire And Ice’ by three national newspapers.

Given some of his post-match rants whilst at Villa and Sunderland, we’re far from convinced of O’Neill’s glacial qualities. Indeed, though hoping it turns out to be the most successful footballing double-act since Hoddle & Waddle – what, you haven’t heard ‘Diamond Lights’? – the potential for dugout disharmony seems huge. Will Roy really be able to keep it zipped if the gaffer decides to build his new-look Ireland round Conor Sammon or praises John Delaney for being a ruthlessly efficient administrator?
Kevin Kilbane, in town for the launch of Dublin City Council’s Shared Histories – Smart Futures initiative, had been hoping for the second managerial coming of Mick McCarthy but reckons Messrs O’Neill and Keane are both made of the right stuff.
“It didn’t go right for Martin at Villa or Sunderland, but I don’t think the boardroom set-ups at either club were ideal at the time,” proffers Kilbane who looks nary a day older than when he was wearing the green shirt. “Everywhere he was prior to that though – Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester, Celtic – he excelled. He took Celtic to their first European final since 1970 (Jose Mourinho’s Porto winning 3-2 to ultimately deny them UEFA Cup glory), so he’s used to big international occasions and playing in hostile environments. He was managing at the top level until recently, so he knows the players – and just as importantly they know him.”
What would he like to see O’Neill do differently to Giovanni?
“You don’t watch videos or TV highlights, you go to games and see a player’s positioning, work-rate and how they warm-up even for yourself. Make calls to clubs asking, ‘How are so and so getting on?’ Also get on the phone to tell players why they’re not being picked before the media gets hold of it. I don’t think Trap ever made that call. Don’t bear grudges. There were a couple of cases of players going into self-exile – that was probably Darron Gibson to an extent – but, if not in the starting XI, Andy Reid should have been in the squad.
“I’d love Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane to stay around and provide the experience that will help Robbie Brady, James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman – players who’ll be key for the next ten years – fulfil their potential. With that spine to the team, I think we’ve a very good chance of qualifying for the Euros”
As for his underling – typing the u-word makes me even more suspicious of how the whole thing’s going to work out – Kevin reckons it’s the right time for Keano to re-enter the managerial fray.
“Roy will always be Roy – that passion, competitiveness and edge is ingrained in him. But I think he’s a bit more considered in his approach than he was. He doesn’t need the money, so if he takes the job it means he really wants it – and that any residual issues he may have with John Delaney and the FAI have been resolved.”
Talking off the record pre-Saipan, a young Irish squad-member told me that he found Roy more intimidating than inspiring. Is part of Keano’s problem as a manager that he can’t accept players being less gifted than he was?
“There probably is an element of that, yeah,” Kevin concedes. “I heard Roy say once, ‘I wasn’t the best of players, I had to work on my game.’ Well, if he wasn’t the best at the start of his career, he certainly was at the end. Perhaps I’m thick-skinned or just stupid, but I never found his out and out desire to win off-putting. He had his moments, sure, but he was very good with me.
“I don’t accept this thing about him being unsuccessful as a manager,” he continues. “To take over at Sunderland when they were bottom of the Championship and get them promoted in his first season was an incredible achievement. As was keeping them in the Premiership the following one.”
Was Alex Ferguson right to break the seal of manager/player confession and tear into Roy like that in his autobiography?
“Alex is totally entitled to write about his fallouts – it’s always going to be big business and I have no problem with that. He’s not contesting that Roy was key to Manchester United’s success for a long time. Both on the pitch and in the dressing-room, he was the leader and Fergie knows that.”
Talking of Man U managers, should the Old Trafford faithful be worried about their spluttering start to the season?
“From a motivational point of view David Moyes is excellent,” Kevin reflects. “Tactically too, his attention to detail and spotting little things that other coaches mightn’t spot is incredible. It always takes players time to adjust to a new voice in the dressing-room. If you asked me to bet on it I’d say, ‘Yeah, United will be definitely be in the Champions League next season.’”

For more information on the Shared Histories – Smart Futures Summit on how sport can bring the cities of England, Scotland, Wales, northern Ireland and the Republic closer together see www.dublincity.ie