Liam Brady believes that the new Ireland manager will have a fighting chance of securing qualification at upcoming World Cups or European Championships.
The former Ireland midfielder feels that the next manager appointed will need to find a way to get results in upcoming campaigns, following on from Stephen Kenny's time in charge where vital victories were not forthcoming.
Brady does believe, however, that the next manager will benefit from the work that Kenny undertook in his three-year stint in charge of the national team, developing a young squad and offering real experience to the next generation of players coming through.
The former Arsenal and Juventus man expects that it will be a tough task for whoever is handed the role to qualify for the next World Cup in 2026, however, he does feel that Ireland should be automatically qualifying for the expanded Euros, having missed out in 2020 and 2024.
"It's a very young squad, which reflected Stephen Kenny's way of working and bringing players through," said Brady, speaking this week following his International Achievement award at the Soccer Writers lunch in Dublin.
"It will help his successor that there are players with plenty of games at international level under their belts and there is a squad of players to work with. For that, Kenny deserves credit.
'It's disappointing to be missing out on the Euros next summer especially when so many teams are involved these days.
"When we got there in 1988 there were only eight group winners in the finals. With 24 teams, we should be capable of qualifying for the Euros. It’s disappointing that Euro 2016 under Martin O’Neill is our last time to qualify.
'I know getting to World Cup in 2026 will be difficult. Two years after Euro ’88, we came second to Spain in our group and qualified for the World Cup. Now second place only gets you a play-off, so that’s become harder."
Brady also explained previous comments regarding the strength of the Ireland squad, having claimed it was one of the worst he had seen, by referencing the clubs that previous generations were playing at compared to the current crop.
"I got a reaction earlier this year when I said I felt this was one of the worst Ireland squads I’d seen," said Brady.
"I meant it was one of the least talented in terms of where the players were playing compared to my time with Ireland when we had players at bigger clubs.
‘We’ve a few more players playing in the Premier League this season which is also a help to the new manager who has got a fighting chance, I feel.
"He needs to be cute and find a way to get results, especially against the teams we are expected to beat. That’s where we’ve fallen down in recent campaigns."
As for old club Arsenal, Brady felt that this week's comeback victory over Luton, where they were trailing midway through the second half before coming out on top in the seven-goal thriller, will provide a real confidence boost to the squad ahead of the busy Christmas period.
"It was a very important test to come through. Luton play a certain way and to drop points there would have been damaging to Arsenal's title chances," said Brady.
"Arsenal were expected to win but the way they turned it around from 3-2 to 4-3 with a late winner showed the belief within the squad.
"Those type of results give teams a huge lift, and they will be on a high going into the games before Christmas against Villa, Brighton and Liverpool"
As for this year's title challenge, Brady was non-commital, while admitting that he had concerns about the Gunners' defence, and with several teams in a good position at the moment, he will wait until March before having a clearer outcome of this year's title race.
"It’s only December and there is a long way to go. It’s like the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The runners haven’t yet turned into the straight for that punishing uphill climb," said Brady.
"In some ways, it’s like last season for Arsenal where the team was top at this time, as they are now, and people were predicting they could go on and win the league.
"I felt the squad wasn’t as strong as it needed to be. Losing Saliba was a huge blow, and Jesus too. City came through and passed them but that experience will stand to everyone.
"With games to come in the Champions League in the spring, it becomes a mental strain as much as a physical one.
"There are a few question marks over the defence. Conceding three goals to Luton is not what you’d expect from Arsenal. The goalkeeping situation could become something of a talking point for (Mikel) Arteta.
"Jurgen Klopp has revamped Liverpool and they’re a serious threat. (Manchester) City have dropped a few points but they are still the team that sets the standard. When Kevin De Bruyne is back, he’ll give them an extra impetus.’
‘Newcastle have continued on from last season, Aston Villa have improved too. Come March, we’ll have a better idea where everyone stands."
