Noel King – Caretaker Irish Soccer Manager

Noel King

Following the departure of Italian, Giovanni Trapattoni, the FAI appointed Under-21 manage, Noel King, as interim or caretaker manager of the Republic of Ireland senior football team in September 2013. King took charge for the final two 2014 World Cup qualifiers in Group C. The first match was against the mighty Germans in Germany, followed by a home match in the Aviva Stadium against Kazakhstan.

One of his first acts as caretaker manager was to build bridges with some of the players that former manager Trapattoni had alienated during his tenure. King included Darren Gibson, Andy Reid, Anthony Stokes, all of whom had run foul of the Italian for various reasons, in his first squad.

Noel King Football Background

Noel King played League of Ireland football for a variety of clubs that included Home Farm, Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, and Bohemians amongst others.

He began his senior playing career at Home Farm in 1976 and went on to sign for seven other clubs throughout his playing career that ended in the 1990’s. These clubs included a short stint with Valenciennes from the French second division.

King never represented the Republic of Ireland at senior level although he did play for the international amateur team as well as a League of Ireland IX.

Noel King as Caretaker Republic of Ireland Manager

Noel King was appointed the interim Republic of Ireland manager in September 2013 following his roles as manager of the Ireland Women’s senior team and his role as head coach of the men’s Under-21’s.

In 2009, the women’s senior team narrowly missed out on qualification to the European Championships, losing in a play-off to Iceland. In 2010 under under-17 team finished runners up at the 2010 UEFA Championship and qualified for the 2010 World Cup. After this relative success King was appointed the head coach of the Republic of Ireland under-21 side in July 2010.

Noel King’s Record as Irish Manager

King’s first match as caretaker manager was in the penultimate 2014 World Cup qualifier against Germany in October 2013. Although it was an improvement on the earlier group match against Germany in Dublin, King’s team were still well beaten by three goals to nil.

In his second match King’s Irish team beat Kazakhstan 3-1 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin in the last match of the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign.

Republic of Ireland Football Managers – Irish Manager’s Records

Mick Meagan – Liam Tuohy – Sean Thomas – John Giles – Alan Kelly Snr – Eoin Hand – Jack Charlton
Jack Charlton’s Playing Style – Jack Charlton’s Appointment – Mick McCarthy – Manager Don Givens
Brian Kerr – Martin O’Neill – Stephen Staunton – Giovanni Trapattoni – Noel King

Irish Football Players

John Aldridge – George Best – Packie Bonner – Liam Brady – Shay Brennan – Noel Cantwell – Johnny Carey
Gerry Daly – Mal Donaghy – Derek Dougan – Damien Duff – Tony Dunne – Eamon Dunphy – Johnny Giles
Shay Given – Don Givens – Harry Gregg – David Healy – Ray Houghton – Denis Irwin – Pat Jennings
Robbie Keane – Robbie Keane Caps Goals – Robbie Keane Penalties Ireland – Roy Keane – Alan Kelly
Mark Lawrenson – Con Martin – Mick Martin – Kevin Moran – David McCreery – Paul McGrath
Sammy McIlroy – Jimmy Nicholl – David O’Leary – John O’Shea – Niall Quinn – Kevin Sheedy – Frank Stapleton Steve Staunton – Billy Whelan – Ronnie Whelan – Norman Whiteside