Proud McCarthy resigns as Ireland manager

Mick McCarthy resigned as Ireland manager on Tuesday after 6-1/2 years in the job.

McCarthy said he could walk away "with my head held high" but the English-born coach conceded his controversial bust-up with former captain Roy Keane had affected his position.

Keane was sent home on the eve of this year's World Cup finals after a row with McCarthy, and the Manchester United midfielder has been in international exile ever since.

McCarthy was praised for guiding Ireland to the second round of the tournament in June, but his side lost their opening two Euro 2004 qualifiers and critics demanded Keane's return at McCarthy's expense.

"Certain circumstances began to affect team performance and I could not allow that to carry on," McCarthy told a news conference.

"It was for the good of myself as well.

"I spoke to some of the players and I know they didn't enjoy our last game (a 2-1 home defeat to Switzerland), or the atmosphere surrounding it.

"But I feel no sense of betrayal. It was my decision, the right decision, and I can walk away with my head held high and my chest out."

FAI President Milo Corcoran paid tribute to McCarthy, saying: "Mick's tenure should be judged on the excellent results achieved during his period as manager.

"He has taken the Irish team to 14th in the world and his results over a period of almost seven years speak volumes for his abilities as a manager."

Media reports said McCarthy, who won 29 and lost 20 of 68 internationals in charge, had negotiated a compensation package with the FAI.

ONE REGRET

The 43-year-old said he was disappointed to be leaving with Ireland joint bottom of their Euro 2004 qualifying group after losing to Russia as well as Switzerland.

McCarthy added that he felt he had made the right decision not to quit after the World Cup, when they were only denied a place in the last eight by defeat to Spain on penalties.

"If I have just one regret, it is that we have no points on the table," he said.

"But we were welcomed back from the World Cup by around 100,000 people (at Dublin airport) and they will still hold myself and the team in high esteem.

"We had a brilliant World Cup and I honestly felt we could continue the success and get to Euro 2004. It's not materialised like that.

"Only with the benefit of hindsight, maybe it would have been better to (leave after the World Cup)."

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern expressed regret at McCarthy's departure.

"I'm sorry to see him go -- he did a good job," Ahern said. "I hope he gets a job in the (English) premiership and I wish him well for the future."

Irish under-21 team manager Don Givens will take charge in a caretaker capacity for Ireland's next match, a friendly away to Greece later this month.

British bookmakers installed ex-Liverpool striker John Aldridge as favourite to succeed McCarthy, with former Ireland defender Joe Kinnear heavily backed with Irish bookmakers.

Former Real Madrid coach John Toshack was also quoted, while another possible candidate, David O'Leary, has ruled himself out of the running according to Sky Sports.

KEANE FOCUS

Keane's supporters will hope McCarthy's exit will enable the Manchester United midfielder to resume his international career.

"There has never been anything to suggest that Roy will not play for his country," Eamon Dunphy, Keane's biographer, told Sky Sports.

"He has never had a difficulty with any other manager in a long and distinguished career."

McCarthy himself covets a return to English club management and has been linked with several posts in recent months.

Although his action over Keane divided a nation, McCarthy will retain pockets of affection in Ireland.

The winner of 57 caps, he captained the 1990 side that achieved Ireland's best-ever showing at a major championship when they reached the World Cup quarter-finals in Italy.

After learning the management trade with Millwall, McCarthy succeeded Jack Charlton as Ireland boss in 1996.

Despite a good record under McCarthy, the Irish failed to qualify for the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European championship -- twice losing out in the qualification playoffs.

But McCarthy was lauded after Ireland finished behind Portugal and ahead of the Netherlands to reach South Korea and Japan this year via a two-leg playoff win over Iran.

There was also pride to be taken from Ireland's run to the second round, and midfielder Jason McAteer said he was upset by McCarthy's decision to leave.

"I am shocked," McAteer said.

"It's a sad day for Irish football. Mick got us to a World Cup and the Ireland set-up is the healthiest it's been for years."