Power ranking the best replacements for Martin O’Neill if he leaves

We’re at that crappy crossroads.

Should O’Neill stay or should he go? The population is split. Had Ireland qualified, O’Neill may well have gone down as the most successful Irish manager ever. He would at least have been getting closer to Jack Charlton’s bracket of success with two successive qualifications. It wasn’t to be, a valiant loss may have saved his blushes but in the aftermath of the 5-1 defeat at the hands of Denmark, people are quick to remember the 1-1 draw to Georgia sooner than the 1-0 wins against Austria and Wales. Although agreed, a new contract hasn’t been signed by O’Neill. If he decides against putting pen to paper, who would make the best replacement? Now, in doing this list you could say the likes of Pep Guardiola and other top managers will be taking over because they won’t and, under a huge assumption, we’re excluding current Premier League managers because why would you leave the most lucrative league in the world to manage the Republic of Ireland? 5.John Caulfield Interestingly, of all the names mentioned, Caulfield doesn’t seem to be in the running. Since taking over Cork at the end of 2013, it has been nothing but success for Caulfield. 2017 was his crowning moment after completing the double by winning both the league and the FAI Cup. Caulfield guided Cork to three successive runner-up positions in the league from 2014 to 2016, finishing behind Dundalk each year. He also won the FAI Cup in 2016 and made it to the final in 2015. Worth taking a chance on? 4.Tony Pulis Tony Pulis is just out of a job in the Premier League but he is well respected in English football. What was it that Ken Early said about Pulis on Second Captains during the week? That he plays like a man that would rather not lose five euro than find five euro. The disgust of losing outweighs the joys of winning. That’s what Pulis would bring to the job, maybe it wouldn’t differ a whole lot to what Martin O’Neill does, and maybe we don’t need to shake things up too much. It wouldn’t be pretty but under Pulis you’d be hopeful Ireland could get the job done. 3.Roy Keane On paper Keano shouldn’t be given the job. The Manchester United legend has had a mixed managerial career to date with success at Sunderland and not so much success at Ipswich. But what Keano does have is quality leadership skills as is evident from his years as Manchester United and experience in the Ireland dressing room as both a player and assistant manager. 2.Stephen Kenny Stephen Kenny and John Caulfield are almost identical but Kenny edges ahead of him on this list. Three league titles in a row with Dundalk as well as the 2015 FAI Cup to add to his previous successes with Bohemians and Derry City. Kenny also guided Dundalk to the Europa League where they far from disgraced themselves against the likes of Zenit St Petersburg and AZ Alkmaar. A successful few years and one worthy of a big job outside of the League of Ireland. 1.Sam Allardyce Don’t worry Sam, Ireland won’t sack you over a set up about player transfers. We've got your back. Nobody is really sure if Big Sam is retired or not but if not he may be the perfect man for the job. Similar to Tony Pulis. Allardyce was always a solid bet for keeping a team in the Premier League and then some. Since leaving Sunderland they’ve fallen off a cliff. The same goes for Crystal Palace. too. You get the sense that Allardyce is a man that can get the most out of players which is exactly what Ireland need.