Martin O’Neill says he will quickly get to work as the Republic of Ireland’s new manager with the aim of getting the qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 off to a strong start.
The 61-year-old Northern Irishman — along with right-hand man Roy Keane — signed two-year deals on Tuesday, bringing to an end the Football Association of Ireland’s search for a replacement for Giovanni Trapattoni.
O’Neill, who had been the top target, took his time over the decision to accept the offer of employment, but he said that ultimately he had to accept it.
He told Sky Sports News: “It’s a privilege to do it. You know, a job like this may not come round again for quite some considerable time.
“The Republic of Ireland have had some success — Jack Charlton was great, Mick McCarthy excellent, and Trapattoni did very, very well, indeed, and all stayed in the job for quite a number of years, so that opportunity might not be afforded to anyone in the foreseeable future.”
O’Neill and Keane will get to work next week when the players gather ahead of friendlies against Latvia and Poland.
However, the long-term aim is qualification for the Euro 2016 finals, a process that will begin in September next year.
Ireland qualified for Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine under Trapattoni, but they parted company with the 74-year-old Italian in September after successive defeats by Sweden and Austria ended their hopes of securing passage to next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
O’Neill said he knows what is expected of himself, Keane and their players but still is relishing the task ahead.
He said: “I am sure that the players will be very positive. I think, generally speaking, they want to play for their country, anyway, regardless of who is the manager. There will be some expectation, too, but I think we can live with that.”
O’Neill’s decision to recruit Keane as his No 2 has raised eyebrows, mainly due to the former Manchester United player’s frosty relationship with Ireland football’s chief executive, John Delaney, in the wake of his walking out on the 2002 World Cup finals squad.
However, O’Neill is convinced that is history.
“It’s been a long, long time,” he said. “I know that I have spoken to John Delaney. John Delaney is very, very pleased, indeed, that Roy is coming on board.
“Roy is naturally delighted and, I think, everything should be fine, going forward.”
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