Subject: [NT] jirka

I will not run again.

First of all. I want to thank Raul, Nin, Shane and everyone else here in Ireland and also my supporters back home.

The main reason for quiting are my obligations outside of Sokker. It was a great time and I wish all the best to the next NT coach and offer as much suppport as I can spare.

I think the past season could be described as one of the most boring ones :)
We defeated all the weaker sides and lost to all the stronger ones. None of the games was won or lost by a significant goal margin. I am happy we beat Wales and primarilly Scotland, where I have to note we played tactics created by Raul for Belgium, where I made some modifications.

Thanks for your efforts this year mate- you may not have got the results you wanted but as our first NT manager not from Ireland you didn't let us down.

Thanks again- who do you have lined up to play next week btw? You deserve to be able to sign off with a win.

week 15: Macedonia U20

i also would like to thank you for chance to work with the NT, thanks for experiences:)

we haven't qualify this time, but i think that it wasnt bad time for NT. we have some bad luck in few games...

As i said you on the priv, i would like to try NT coach role in next season and continue yours work, if irish will choose me:)

Life is brutal, and the truth is sad, Ireland still is too poor for fight with teams like Belgium or Hungary, I hope in future it will changed... Good luck boys, and thank you for good matches.

it wont change because other counries are developing is well

Simply put, you're wrong. We're more than capable of beating teams like Hungary.

I agree with Nin. Good players is one thing and good tactics is another. It is possible to beat teams with better players, but it does require a good tactic that "fits" with the opponents. And also knowing and using and your own strengths instead of focusing on the opponent too much is a good thing.

I'm not saying it is easy, but it isnt impossible. I'm not the best tactician in sokker, and i have seen NT coaches like Vilpu play impressive matches against Sweden and Norway. And both times there was no doubt that Sweden and Norway had far better players. He managed a draw because his tactics was better and he used his players potential to the full.
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Australia vs Colombia is a good example of tactics hammering better players. Australia won 6-1.

And also knowing and using and your own strengths instead of focusing on the opponent too much is a good thing.

I agree completely. When i first took over the NT i had a habit of trying to fit the tactics to stop the opposition and it messed us up because you cant get any continuity when you've got a different tactic every week. The best thing to do is to find a tactic you like and make minor changes and improvements as you go along.

I agree and I managed many victories over stronger teams in the league where i had known their tactics. On NT level, it is more of a challenge since you also have to be lucky to fit your tactics against opponents.

Also to beat a stronger team by tactics it requires a weak or average tactitian on the other side and a bit of luck.

I think the combined talents of jirka and Raul only managed that against Scotland, in other matches, it didn't work out for various reasons and it will be someone else's turn to prove that next season.


Also I want to mention that I am concerned about Ireland in the future. I trained Cully 3 seasons ago and he was my best striker. Now, he wouldn't even fit in my A team in the club, but Irish NT still has the same best striker as 3 seasons ago...
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The new strikers are starting to come through. The reason Matthews is still top striker is because he's only 24 and he's been improving along with the juniors. I can see him being 1st choice forward for another 2 or 3 seasons. Losing Phelan to the f**king stupid bot system didnt help either.
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While we're on about the national team next season, The elections start next weekend i believe.
I'm ignoring the temptation to run, despite being annoyed by Jiller yesterday and feeling like we've got something to prove.

Is there any meaning for a Swede to run... last time it was already arranged for Jirka so i withdrawed my campaign...

Nothing is arranged this time. I think the more good coaches we have apply the better so go ahead.

I agree we're in need of some quality strikers. Too many games this season were taken from us by better finishing. If I can get one or two quality juniors next season that have potential as strikers I'll be moving to train them. The only problem is that it will take 4-5 seasons to train them and apart from Colleary I see nothing special coming through.

I think the more good coaches we have apply the better so go ahead

Hmm, that might be a problem then ;D