Return of the Mac shouldn’t keep Delaney in his post

After 14 long years in charge, the FAI chief executive still presides over dysfunction and disconnect

Mick McCarthy has now become the fifth full-time Ireland manager of John Delaney’s reign as FAI boss Pic: Getty

During the week, with the door not fully closed behind Martin O’Neill, and before Mick McCarthy stepped in through the gap, a depressingly pointless if predictable question started doing the rounds. Who should replace him?

At the time there was Chris Hughton, who has worked solid wonders with Brighton. There was Neil Lennon, who would infuse any stale side with a rare passion. There was Stephen Kenny, the best footballing mind we have ...