Slugger O'Toole

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New Norn Irn manager named…

Thu 31 May 2007, 9:32pm

NIGEL Worthington is to be the next Northern Ireland manager, according to reports.

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Comments (69)

  1. George says:

    Could have been a lot worse. An acceptable if uninspired choice from what was most likely a limited pool.

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  2. Pounder says:

    Great, after eatting steak for the past 2 years we’re gonna have to go back to pot noodles. I don’t want to start on a negative but there is no way Nigel will motivate his players the way Lawrie did.

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  3. Token Dissent says:

    A good choice. A solid manager who has a similar style in terms of tactics as Lawrie. Hopefully he will improve relations with George McCartney and others as well.

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  4. iluvni says:

    If wasters like McCartney are welcomed back into the NI squad with open arms, Worthington will have done himself no favours.

    Not excited by the appointment, but as always, we’ll be 100% behind him and the team come the next game.

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  5. Diluted Orange says:

    I’m pretty happy. He did well in getting Norwich promoted to the Premiership and is more than capable of continuing Lawries’ good work. As George says, he was probably the best that we could have hoped to get. Best of luck to him.

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  6. Delia Smith says:

    WHERE ARE YA ? WWHHEERRREE AARREEE YAAA ?? COME ON… LET’S BE ‘AVIN’ YA !

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  7. Dr Strangelove says:

    Let’s hope he has a good tactical brain because he certainly has no charisma

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  8. smcgiff says:

    I’d trade ye Staunton for him!

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  9. are we a country? says:

    Nice to see yet another six-county Catholic getting the manager’s job.

    Fifty-Fifty recruitment and all that………..

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  10. Pounder says:

    Dude I don’t care if they employ a muslim, jew or devil worshipper. Just as long as he doesn’t screw up and keeps the results coming in.

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  11. Yup – he was spotted on the bmi flight home tonight, travelling across for tomorrow’s annoucement with the IFA’s Jim Boyce.

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  12. C-X says:

    Im with Pounder, all the guy has to do is not fuck up what Lawrie has done. Lets hope he can leave well alone.

    Im kinda scared ‘cos its true he does lack charisma and like McClaren will probably do something drastic so that people take him seriously like put Healy on the bench.

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  13. Roger says:

    Thats qualification well and truely over, Danny Wilson was the correct choice.

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  14. The Devil says:

    For fucks sake relax, it’s not as if they have given the job to Sinn Feins director of elections

    ***** COS THEN YOU WOULD HAVE PLENTY TO PANIC ABOUT ****

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  15. The Devil says:

    Is Steve Staunton a member of Sinn Fein???? cos that would explain the fucking awful results lately!!

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  16. rosebud says:

    ‘Is Steve Staunton a member of Sinn Fein???? cos that would explain the fucking awful results lately!!’

    As a WP supporter, I did enjoy the Sinn Fein joke.

    However Stan’s results have been that awful that Ireland is joint top of the Group and are ranked above Northern Ireland at present.

    By the way to prove an earlier sectarian poster wrong, can anyone tell me the names of all the NI managers who are drawn from the catholic community and were born in Northern Ireland?

    I’m sure there have been at least a couple.

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  17. darth rumsfeld says:

    ..the greatest of them all, rosebud-Peter Doherty from Maghera who was also one of our finest footballers. But frankly, I don’t think the perceived religion of managers is the slightest important, and I don’t imagine Sammy McIlroy or Bryan Hamilton is particularly devout

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  18. Ziznivy says:

    The name of the game for Worthy is evolution, not revolution. He needs to keep the ship steady and he needs to speak to Sanchez about how to achieve this. Reintroducing personnel into the squad, whether it be McCartney, Mulryne or whoever, would be counterproductive and undo the good work Lawrie has achieved.

    Anyway, good luck Nigel, great to see a Ballymena man getting the job! As they say our direction “keep her steady”.

    As for the man’s religion (and at the risk of feeding the troll), I believe he is experimenting with Taoism. ;-) Please note Jim Magilton / Martin O’Neill would have got the job if they’d been realistically available.

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  19. curious says:

    that would be one NI-born catholic manager out of how many managers in total, exactly?

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  20. iluvni says:

    I hope the First/Deputy First Minister will be issuing a statement of welcome and good luck to our new international football manager.

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  21. macswiney says:

    A catastrophic appointment! It shows the total lack of ambition of the IFA.

    I watched Worthington’s last came in charge for Norwich live on Sky when they were hammered 4 or 5 at home. He looked a forlorn figure and Delia Smith had him sacked less than 60 minutes after the game ended!

    When he was appointed caretaker manager at Leicester in April he was interviewed on Sky News and said he was confident of getting the job. 5 weeks later he was shown the door…

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  22. Geo says:

    Good solid choice, much much better than potential named eejits like Neil Warnock or Graham Taylor. Keep ‘er lit big man.

    Oh, and I hate feeding trolls as well but does anyone know what foot Lawrie Sanchez kicked with, what with his Ecudorian parentage and all that? Don’t recall Lawrie’s religion ever being an issue, but then it wouldn’t be with the NI supporters. Bet the narrow-minded slabbers looking to run us down at every opportunity were disappointed that no NI supporter wanted Sanchez out because of his perceived religion.

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  23. Paul says:

    When he was appointed caretaker manager at Leicester in April he was interviewed on Sky News and said he was confident of getting the job

    He did keep Leicester up don’t forget, MacSwiney.

    Uninspiring, safe choice but I think it’s a bit early to say “catastrophic” before he’s even had a chance to pick a team!!!

    Wonder if Mccartney will be bcak in the reckoning?

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  24. curious says:

    I repeat that would be one NI-born catholic manager out of how many managers in total, exactly?
    The deafening silence tells its own scandalous tale.

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  25. Pounder says:

    McCartney will be breaking his neck to get back in the fold. Byt the thing is will he get in? He didn’t want to play for us when we where doing crap. Lawrie built a good team, they aren’t the best we can put out, but they take pride in playing for their country and that’s why we’re beating the likes of England and Spain. Team spirit is as good as a goal up.

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  26. curious – perhaps the silence is from those of us who forgot that it was still important to know, label and discuss the religion of people holding high-profile jobs in Northern Ireland.

    (Oh, and to correct my early comment, Boyce flew into St George’s airport last night, while Worthington enjoyed the Aldergrove experience.)

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  27. Paul says:

    Pounder
    In a perfect world, I’d be reluctant to let him back in. Having said that, with such a small squad, we can’t really afford to turn players away.

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  28. barney says:

    “I hope the First/Deputy First Minister will be issuing a statement of welcome and good luck to our new international football manager.”

    I presume the deputy first minister will show just as little interest as the rest of us up here in Derry.

    Our national team plays its home games in Dublin so its of no real interest, apart from the fact that there is someone who can match Steve Staunton in a ‘i’ve no personality’ contest.

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  29. C-X says:

    Ha, yes the Republic is now placed 1 higher than us in the FIFA rankings and are joint top of their group. On paper that makes for good reading…in reality:

    The Republic is actually THIRD in their group on goal difference.

    Their last performance was a startling 1-0 win over San Marino in the dying minutes.

    Every other opponent in their group has at least one, with most having two, games in hand.

    N. Ireland is top of their group on points alone and have beaten Spain and Sweden.
    I can see why you want that All Ireland team now. See you in Belfast, maybe Staunton will come too.

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  30. kensei says:

    “Their last performance was a startling 1-0 win over San Marino in the dying minutes.”

    Their last performance was a credible 1-1 draw in a friendly with Bolivia with a shadow squad. Try to keep up.

    I don’t think either of us are qualifying. Might be better to wait until qualifying is over before gloating, though.

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  31. curious says:

    ‘Their last performance was a startling 1-0 win over San Marino in the dying minutes. ‘

    Displaying your pathetic footballing ignorance there, C-X,

    Ireland beat San Marino 5-0 and 2-1.
    The last 2 Euro games actually resulted in victories against Wales and Slovakia.
    Also as Denmark and Sweden have played two and one game less than NI,, they will in fact go above NI in due course.
    All in all, its a wee bit early for your lads to be crowing how superior they are to the Irish team.
    My hunch is that neither team will qualify nor will England, Scotland and Wales.
    ‘See you in Belfast?’ Don’t you mean the Maze, mate?

    Regarding Alan’s earlier post, perhaps the deafening silence is in fact because NI fans have no wish to reveal the exact number of NI- born Catholic managers of their team. Prove me wrong and answer the specific question.
    As Nigel Worthington would say “I’m all ears!”

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  32. Paul says:

    Our national team plays its home games in Dublin so its of no real interest, apart from the fact that there is someone who can match Steve Staunton in a ‘i’ve no personality’ contest.

    Soooo…the appointment of Nigel Worthington is only interesting for you, Martin McGuinness and the rest of Derry(although excluding most of the Waterside presumably)…because he has a similar personality to Steve Staunton?

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  33. Paul says:

    Regarding Alan’s earlier post, perhaps the deafening silence is in fact because NI fans have no wish to reveal the exact number of NI- born Catholic managers of their team.

    No, it’s because the I don’t know or actually care about the religion of the team’s managers, I really don’t think it affects his ability to manage.

    But it’s obviously crucially important for you…why?

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  34. barney says:

    “Soooo…the appointment of Nigel Worthington is only interesting for you, Martin McGuinness and the rest of Derry(although excluding most of the Waterside presumably)…because he has a similar personality to Steve Staunton?”

    paul

    Its not important or relevant to us, in the same way as the retirement of Ryan Giggs is of no real relevance, other than a bit of sporting news.

    ..Although, Ryan Giggs banging in a couple in his last game tomorrow against the Czech’s would be doing us a big favour, so..Giggsy would be higher up the interest table than the Worthington lad.

    Iechyd da Ryan.

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  35. darth rumsfeld says:

    “I repeat that would be one NI-born catholic manager out of how many managers in total, exactly?
    The deafening silence tells its own scandalous tale”

    I’m truly sorry that we can’t all drop everything to keep feeding the troll, but some of us do have a life. Anyway, always like to help even the incorrigibly ignorant, so…
    a few years ago our managerial team was McMenemy, Jordan and Jennings- all RCs, and noone gave a toot. Gerry Armstrong has been our assistant manager twice, and might well still be a fulltime appointment. I’m guessing here now, but the Sanchez family in south America might just be Catholics, given the paucity of presbyterian churches there.

    We don’t care, and we wouldn’t have cared if the job had gone to Magilton or O’Neill.If Neill Lennon gets the job and gets us to a world cup we’ll be ecstatic.

    In the best traditions of whataboutery, you’ll be pestering the FAI for details of their Protestant managers too , I hope. And no doubt you’ll be encouraging all your RC friends and neighbours to breach this hitherto unknown scandalous bastion of Orange bigotry by.. er coming along to Windsor park, supporting the team, and applying to be manager of their international team. Right?

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  36. darth rumsfeld says:

    .. oh, and when you’re ringing the FAI, ask which irish team was the first to have a manager who had played for Cellick?

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  37. curious says:

    Darth and Paul

    So the sum total of NI-BORN, CATHOLIC MANAGERS of NI is one (Peter Doherty) – bit of a low figure that over 100+ years.

    Coincidence i’m sure of course…

    Another statistic designed to give credence to the non-sectarian nature of NI Football.

    Thanks for the help,lads,.

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  38. Yokel says:

    NI fans, tell you what, why don’t you just withdraw from this thread and let those who hate the team have their wee moment of talking to themselves.

    If its unimportant bullshit why give them the joy of rising to it.

    Show some spite lads.

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  39. curious says:

    hit a raw nerve there, Yokel.

    Bye then…..

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  40. darth rumsfeld says:

    oh dear curious
    firstly Northern Ireland has only had a manager since the 1950s. Secondly two or three of the twelve holders of that post must be presumed to be RCs, and another had a high-profile connection with Celtic FC.

    To save your phone bill, the number of non-RC ROI managers in the same period is… none, nada, zero, zilch. “Another statistic designed to give credence to the non-sectarian nature of [RoI] Football.” ??

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  41. Paul says:

    Yokel
    Agreed.

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  42. curious says:

    For the slow-learners out there, I reiterate that the sum total of NI-BORN, CATHOLIC MANAGERS of NI is one (Peter Doherty)

    Point made,.

    Bye then.

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  43. Cromwell says:

    Not that I care in the slightest, but I’ve been told Steve Staunton is a prod, which might explain a few things!!!

    By the way Barney, if you are so uninterested in Worthingtons appointment why are you posting on a thread about………Worthingtons appointment?!!!

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  44. Ziznivy says:

    Every thread about NI on Slugger descends into this trolling.

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  45. kensei says:

    “To save your phone bill, the number of non-RC ROI managers in the same period is… none, nada, zero, zilch. “Another statistic designed to give credence to the non-sectarian nature of [RoI] Football.” ??”

    You are right this is a pointless debate, but Charlton was CoE, surely?

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  46. darth rumsfeld says:

    I really despair that this thread has gone down this cul de sac, but, since you ask, kensei, the Charltons are RCs. I know this makes me look like I check the church attendance of evey fitba player- I don’t. I’m also absolutely sure that the FAI didn’t care in the slightest about Charltons’ religion- the way we don’t care about Worthy’s- I suppose we should be thankful that “curious” has to find such an obscure point to hang his bigotry on.

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  47. The World's Gone Mad says:

    Probably, but according to curious the crucial element is where they were born, because obviously those born off the island don’t count in any way…

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  48. darth rumsfeld says:

    So… Jimmy Nicholl was born in Canada, and therefore would clearly not have counted in curious’s hall of shame. I think Dave Clements had a US passport, and must also be excluded if I’m right. And Sammy McIlroy’s a somersaulting munchkin.

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  49. curious – Having taken the bait, I feel compelled to add to the statistical hunt and ask how many female managers, how many American managers, how many managers who could speak a foreign language, NI have had?

    I’m not that interested in the answer – though I’ve every confidence that someone reading will let us know.

    Let’s take each manager as they come, treat them as professionals with a job to do, and judge them on their performance in the job and the results they help the team achieve. History is history. With most jobs locally, you should be ticking the box in the equality form, placing it in the sealed envelope and they getting on with your job.

    And there’s me who doesn’t even like football.

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  50. Dissenter says:

    To those Northern Irish folk who keep stridently informing us that they “don’t care” about the fate of the international football team (consisting of players from both sides of the sectarian divide) that represents the small chunk of earth on which they were born, why do you have to keep banging on about the fact that you don’t care? It reminds me of Monty Python’s Greta Garbo sketch where she’s announcing to everyone “I want to be alone!” through a loud-hailer onboard an army tank. And ultimately, in your bewildering denial of your birthplace, you’re the spiritual cousins of those Loyalist “I’m not Irish – I’m British!” saddoes who wear feckin England tops to prove their patriotic credentials – frankly, you’re welcome to each other. But never mind all that ballix…what I’m worried about is the fact that Worthington’s first name is Nigel…has there ever been an inspirational leader called Nigel???!

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