GIANT JACK
Jack Charlton, three votes. Johnny Giles, three votes. Liam Tuohy, three votes. Bob Paisley, nine votes. Deep in the bowels of Merrion Square, the FAI were choosing the new Republic of Ireland boss, and it wasn’t looking good for Big Jack.
In February 1986, the Boys in Green had never qualified for a major tournament, and had just had their World Cup hopes ended – beaten in the USSR, then demolished 4-1 by Denmark at Lansdowne Road. Worse still, Northern Ireland had qualified for a second time in succession. Eoin Hand was out, and it was time to decide his replacement.
Charlton had been receptive to the FAI’s approach, but some voiced concerns about his acrimonious departure from Newcastle six months earlier. Some wanted a return for Giles or Tuohy, both former Ireland managers. Several people favoured Paisley, Liverpool’s three-time European Cup winner who had retired in 1983 but admitted interest in the vacancy anyway.
The voting wasn’t finished, though. Further ballots eliminated Tuohy and Giles from the race. Then, FAI president Des Casey refused to endorse Paisley – Liverpool had warned that the 67-year-old had health problems. In the end, Charlton prevailed and got the job, by 10 votes to eight.
The first Englishman to lead Ireland would become their greatest ever manager, in 10 incredible years at the helm. After World Cup glory in 1966, and domestic success at Leeds, it was a fitting end to an unforgettable career. To become a national hero in one country is quite a feat. Charlton did it in two – not just for his achievements, but through his sheer force of personality.
OBDURATE WITH BALL AND MOUTH
When Jack Charlton began his managerial career with Middlesbrough in the summer of 1973, his opening salvo wasn’t quite as extreme as Brian Clough’s ‘you can throw all your medals in the bin’ speech, but there were certainly similarities.
A year before Clough uttered his infamous line at Leeds,
