Northern Ireland and the search for a new manager

It seems only appropriate that I kick off this blog with a post about my first unambiguous love - the Northern Ireland football team.

In the wake of Lawrie Sanchez's resignation, the success of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign lies in the less than capable hands of Howard Wells and Jim Boyce of the Irish Football Association. This pair of inepts have been tasked with head-hunting the next Northern Ireland manager, a position which will be assumed with the side top of their group and fresh from wins against Spain and Sweden.

Ominously Graham Taylor has been the latest figure linked to the job, a man so discredited in the world of international football that his name has become synonomous with the least palatable type of root vegetable. Rather than trying to maintain the momentum which Sanchez has brought to the campaign, allowing his backroom staff to see out the final five games without changing tactics and personnel, it would be typical of the IFA to throw money at an inveterate tinkerer who would in any case be a stop-gap.

If the Sky millions are to be spent on a managerial appointment, it is the charisma and enthusiasm of Jim Magilton which should be given a chance to provide our first qualification in 22 years.